QAZAQ GREEN. Type One Energy aims to convert the retired Bull Run Fossil Plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, into a prototype fusion reactor, with plans to eventually commercialize fusion power, Electrek reports.

The company also considers repurposing old EV batteries to aid in the process.

The Bull Run Fossil Plant was a coal-powered generation facility first opened in 1967 and shut down on December 1, 2023 – just over two months ago. It was run by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the largest public utility in the US, and sits just across the river from Oak Ridge, the site of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), one of America’s most important national science labs.

Despite the plant's recent closure, claims on the site are already emerging, with Type One Energy leading the charge, backed by DuORNL, a lab with extensive fusion research experience. Fusion, unlike fission, involves fusing smaller atoms together to release energy, offering potential benefits such as minimal radioactive waste production and enhanced safety.

While achieving sustained fusion reactions remains challenging, recent advancements hint at progress.

Type One Energy envisions building a prototype reactor, Infinity One, at the Bull Run site, with hopes to mitigate risks before scaling up for future energy production.

The company's plans have garnered attention from government entities and secured funding, including participation in a new Tennessee initiative to drive nuclear energy innovation.

Collaborations with TVA and ORNL are underway, though formal agreements are pending regulatory approvals.

Construction on the pilot research project could start as early as 2025, and be completed as early as 2028.