German nuclear fusion startup Proxima Fusion has made a groundbreaking announcement, publishing plans for a working fusion power plant in a peer-reviewed journal. This milestone marks a significant step towards generating limitless clean energy, with zero carbon emissions and minimal radiation.

Traditional nuclear fission reactors have long been criticized for producing radioactive waste, whereas nuclear fusion releases vast amounts of energy without the environmental drawbacks. Proxima Fusion's innovative approach aims to harness this clean energy source, leveraging its proprietary 'Stellaris' design to overcome the instability issues plaguing existing fusion reactor concepts.

So-called tokamaks and stellarators are types of fusion reactors that utilize electromagnets to contain fusion plasma. While tokamaks rely on external magnets and an induced plasma current, they are notorious for their instability. Stellarators, on the other hand, employ only external magnets, theoretically enabling better stability and continuous operation. Proxima Fusion's Stellaris design takes this concept a step further, demonstrating reliable and continuous operation without the instabilities and disruptions seen in tokamaks and other approaches.

According to Dr. Francesco Sciortino, co-founder and CEO of Proxima Fusion, the company's decision to publish its findings publicly is a testament to its commitment to open-source science. "Our American friends can see it. Our Chinese friends can see it. Our claim is that we can execute on this faster than anyone else, and we do that by creating a framework for integrated physics, engineering, and economics. So we're not a science project anymore," Sciortino emphasized in an interview with TechCrunch.

Proxima Fusion's accelerated progress is a notable achievement, with the company having raised $35 million in funding from the European Union and German government, along with $30 million in venture capital. Founded just two years ago, Proxima Fusion aims to build a fully operational fusion reactor by 2031, positioning itself as a key player in the global race to commercialize fusion energy.

The company's competitors include Commonwealth Fusion Systems, which is backed by Bill Gates's venture fund Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Ian Hogarth, a Partner at Plural, one of Proxima Fusion's earliest investors, praised the company's achievement, stating, "When Proxima started its journey, the founders said, 'This is possible, we'll prove it to you.' And they did. Stellaris positions QI-HTS stellarators as the leading technology in the global race to commercial fusion."

As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and energy sustainability, Proxima Fusion's breakthrough offers a beacon of hope for a cleaner, more efficient energy future. With its innovative Stellaris design and commitment to open-source science, Proxima Fusion is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of energy production.