Nuclear Fusion Startup Secures Historic License for 350 MWe Plant
A New Era in Nuclear Innovation
Bill Gates-backed nuclear fusion firm Type One Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) have taken a significant step forward by submitting a groundbreaking “byproduct material license” application to state regulators. This move marks the official start of the licensing process for Project Infinity, which aims to construct the 350 MWe Infinity Two power plant at the site of the retired Bull Run fossil plant.
The filing was submitted to the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) and follows a 2023 unanimous agreement by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to regulate fusion under a low-risk framework. This collaboration between the two partners has been ongoing since February 2024, and the application uses a new regulatory framework established by the NRC. This framework categorizes fusion machines under the same rules used for particle accelerators and nuclear medicine.
By recognizing the unique safety profile of fusion, this protocol allows the project to proceed at the Bull Run Energy Complex. The first phase of the project, the Infinity One prototype, is scheduled for commissioning and startup in 2029. This initiative is expected to enhance Tennessee’s reputation as a global hub for nuclear innovation, with construction on the commercial-scale plant potentially beginning as early as 2028, pending final approvals.
Phased Development and Strategic Partnerships
Project Infinity will be developed in several phases at the Clinton, Tennessee, site. These phases are designed to transition from experimental technology to grid-scale power. The first phase involves the deployment of the Infinity One prototype and a workforce training center, both of which are slated for startup in 2029. The second phase focuses on the 350 MWe Infinity Two commercial fusion power plant, which has received a Letter of Intent from TVA for construction to begin as early as 2028.
These stages represent a “safety by design” approach intended to ensure that the facility meets global regulatory standards for deployment. The project is a deep collaboration between the private sector and public utilities. Type One Energy, which recently relocated its headquarters to the region, is working with TVA to repurpose the infrastructure of the former coal-fired Bull Run plant, which was retired in late 2023.
“TVA is proud to play a leading role in supporting the advancement of fusion energy – a technology that represents the next frontier in low-cost, reliable power,” said Don Moul, TVA President and CEO.
Design Safety for Future Development Goals
This announcement comes shortly after another major development at the Bull Run site: the establishment of a new High-Heat Flux (HHF) facility in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Together, these projects are transforming East Tennessee into a “global hub” for nuclear innovation.
“The byproduct material license application is a ‘safety by design’ protocol for fusion facility licensing with significant performance margins to ensure safety is optimized throughout the design process,” concluded the company in a press release. “In this context, the Infinity Two fusion power plant is designed for regulatory approval and deployment around the globe.”
This licensing milestone follows closely on the heels of other major activity at the site. Earlier, just a few weeks ago, preparation officially began at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Bull Run Energy Complex for a new high-heat flux (HHF) testing facility.
Key Highlights of the Project
- First-of-its-kind License: The submission of a “byproduct material license” application to TDEC.
- Regulatory Breakthrough: Utilizing a new NRC framework that categorizes fusion machines under the same rules as particle accelerators and nuclear medicine.
- Timeline: The Infinity One prototype is set to start in 2029, while the Infinity Two plant could begin construction as early as 2028.
- Collaboration: A partnership between Type One Energy and TVA to repurpose the Bull Run site.
- Safety Focus: Emphasis on a “safety by design” approach to meet global regulatory standards.
- Global Impact: Positioning Tennessee as a leader in nuclear innovation and fusion technology.
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