Helion Energy to demonstrate net electricity production by 2024

[mvanwink5]

Yes, huge news! Thanks SJ.

[RERT]

Do they know enough about why trapped flux increased to be able to move further in that direction?

[Skipjack]

Do they know enough about why trapped flux increased to be able to move further in that direction?

Generally, hotter ions vs electrons increases the fusion output compared to the losses and their new configuration increases the ion temperature.
In any case, they think that they might be able to increase that effect a little more even, which is great news. It makes their concept even more viable.

[RERT]

This :

We tested a new configuration in Trenta and observed FRC plasmas that have 25% more trapped flux than has ever been recorded. This is awesome news. More flux means we are doing a better job of confining the plasma fuel. This ultimately means more energy output.

Makes it sound like the new configuration surprised them with the amount of trapped flux. Is that the case, and if so do they know how to tweak this up even further?

Forgive me if 'trapped flux' is a synonym for 'Ion Temperature', but that isn't obvious. Further, it's far from obvious why they would state trapped flux when they meant Ion Temperature....

[Skipjack]

This :

We tested a new configuration in Trenta and observed FRC plasmas that have 25% more trapped flux than has ever been recorded. This is awesome news. More flux means we are doing a better job of confining the plasma fuel. This ultimately means more energy output.

Makes it sound like the new configuration surprised them with the amount of trapped flux. Is that the case, and if so do they know how to tweak this up even further?

Forgive me if 'trapped flux' is a synonym for 'Ion Temperature', but that isn't obvious. Further, it's far from obvious why they would state trapped flux when they meant Ion Temperature....

It is not really a synonym for it, but they are connected. The flux allows for a great er radius, which allows for a longer confinement time, from what I understand. David was a bit cryptic there.
And yes, they think that they can push that up a bit further. But it is still too early to tell. The important part is that this is really allowing them to go much higher with a smaller machine.

[mvanwink5]

The question is at what point will a smaller size enable the fusion electric generator to power a plane? That would be a huge breakthrough. Still it is enough that the Helion fusion generator can power a ship, and perhaps a sub. Simon stressed that training is a huge issue for the Nuclear Navy, and that fusion would greatly mitigate the expense of such training.

Another obvious point is the capital cost will be greatly reduced.

[Skipjack]

The question is at what point will a smaller size enable the fusion electric generator to power a plane? That would be a huge breakthrough. Still it is enough that the Helion fusion generator can power a ship, and perhaps a sub. Simon stressed that training is a huge issue for the Nuclear Navy, and that fusion would greatly mitigate the expense of such training.

Another obvious point is the capital cost will be greatly reduced.

I think the limiting factor for planes would be capacitors and shielding, but that might improve over time as well.

[Carl White]

"Time to get some landscaping done!"

https://twitter.com/Helion_Energy/statu ... 6519204867

https://twitter.com/dekirtley/status/15 ... fsrc=email

[Skipjack]

A few more touches and the building is ready to go. Now they just have to get the Polaris machine ready too but that is going forward as well as we saw in their newsletter.

[Carl White]

The Polaris doors are in. In just six months, this site has gone from a slab of concrete to a 30,000 sq. ft. facility fit for the first generator to demonstrate net electricity from fusion.

https://twitter.com/Helion_Energy/statu ... 9114407938

[Munchausen]

If successful, this project becomes the single most valuable intellectual property on the planet. Are there any hints on business models?

Personally, I would prefer a that a single time payment is arranged and then have it made open source. A 100 dollar from every taxpayer in the USA and EU should be enough to cover all expenses many times over and a really generous gratuity to everone in the staff.

Exploitation of the steam engine was hindered for many years because of patents.

[Skipjack]

I think that 100 dollars for every American and European ( ~80 billion USD) is too little considering the implications of the technology.
This technology is a trillionaire- maker. I predict that Helion will do an IPO some time in the 2030ies and will quickly rise to a higher valuation than Tesla or Apple. ZAP will likely follow soon after. With everything that is going on in Europe's energy market in particular right now, there are gigantic profit prospects. Plus add shipping and military applications...
It will also trigger a huge economic boom that will make anything that has happened in dot com look insignificant. Every Helion and ZAP employee, past or present will likely have fast followers offering them huge paychecks just for joining.

The Chinese will likely be the first to try and copy it, is my prediction. They are already working on a clone of Helion's machine at ENN. It will be interesting to see how that develops. The Chinese don't care much about foreign patents and IP. So maintaining staff and protecting trade secrets and keeping the wheel of innovation going will be crucial for US fusion companies. Helion are constantly improving their design and operational parameters, as can be seen in their last newsletter. I am sure they will continue to do so.

[mvanwink5]

Helion Giga factories will need capital before the 2030's. An IPO before then would raise the capital needed for their first factory, no? 2028?

[Munchausen]

Helion Giga factories will need capital before the 2030's. An IPO before then would raise the capital needed for their first factory, no? 2028?

So the idea at present is to do this as an in-house production operation? No licensing?

[mvanwink5]

Send a tech(s) to operate each 100 MWe fusion electric generator. Own & operate all of them, sell the power. That is my WAG based on comments.