Latest news with #SPARC
Sustainability Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Sustainability Times
'Google Bets Billions on Fusion Breakthrough': This Secretive Deal Could Power the Entire U.S. for Centuries
IN A NUTSHELL 🌟 Commonwealth Fusion Systems partners with Google to supply 200 megawatts of electricity from its future ARC power plant. partners with Google to supply 200 megawatts of electricity from its future ARC power plant. 🚀 The ambitious SPARC reactor aims for net energy gain using advanced superconducting magnets to contain high-temperature plasma. using advanced superconducting magnets to contain high-temperature plasma. 💡 Google continues its investment in renewable energy, supporting fusion as a potential clean energy breakthrough. breakthrough. 🔧 Overcoming technical challenges like achieving Q>1 and maintaining stable reactions is crucial for the success of fusion energy. In the realm of renewable energy, one of the most ambitious and promising ventures is the development of fusion power. Recently, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), a Massachusetts-based energy startup, announced a groundbreaking partnership with Google. This collaboration aims to supply 200 megawatts of electricity from its future ARC power plant in Chesterfield County, Virginia. As the world grapples with the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, this partnership could herald a new era of clean energy. The Ambitious Vision of Commonwealth Fusion Systems Commonwealth Fusion Systems has set its sights on a bold vision: to transform the energy landscape by harnessing the power of nuclear fusion. Founded in 2018, CFS has already raised over $2 billion in funding, demonstrating significant investor confidence. At the heart of their strategy is the SPARC reactor, currently under construction in Devens, Massachusetts. This prototype aims to achieve what's known as net energy gain or Q>1, where the reactor produces more energy than it consumes. To achieve this, CFS is utilizing advanced superconducting magnets capable of containing plasma at temperatures exceeding 180 million degrees Fahrenheit. If successful, the SPARC reactor will pave the way for the larger ARC reactor, which is projected to generate 400 megawatts of electricity. This is a significant leap forward, as 400 megawatts is comparable to the output of a utility-scale natural gas power plant, potentially powering up to 400,000 average US homes. 'Gates-Backed 'Flying Blades' Begin Spinning': This Radical U.S. Wind Tech Is Unlike Anything You've Ever Seen Before Google's Strategic Investment in Fusion Energy Google's involvement with CFS is part of its broader commitment to investing in renewable energy technologies. Since 2010, the tech giant has been at the forefront of acquiring clean energy resources, including geothermal and nuclear energy. In 2024 alone, Google purchased over 8 gigawatts of clean energy. This partnership with CFS underscores Google's strategic interest in pushing the boundaries of what is possible with nuclear fusion, despite acknowledging it as a moonshot endeavor. By aligning with CFS, Google is not only investing in a potentially revolutionary energy source but also supporting a vision that could fundamentally alter how we generate electricity. The fusion power plant in Virginia, once operational, will contribute to Google's ever-expanding portfolio of clean energy investments, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable practices. 'AMG GT XX Breaks Electric Speed Barriers': Mercedes Unleashes Shockingly Fast Concept That Redefines What EVs Can Do The Technical Challenges Ahead The path to achieving practical fusion energy is fraught with substantial challenges. The process requires heating and compressing atoms to incredibly high temperatures using powerful magnets. Achieving Q>1 is a monumental milestone, but maintaining a stable reaction is equally crucial. The reactor's components must endure extreme conditions without degrading, ensuring continuous and reliable operation. Moreover, the technological hurdles extend beyond the physical construction of the reactor. CFS must also develop reliable systems for sustaining the fusion reaction, which involves complex engineering and precise control. The success of this venture will not only depend on overcoming these technical obstacles but also on securing ongoing investment and public support. '18 Hours Without Cooling': Nuclear Reactor Left Unprotected After Technician Closes Wrong Valve in Alarming Safety Breach The Future of Fusion Energy The partnership between CFS and Google is a testament to the potential of fusion energy as a viable solution to the world's energy needs. While nuclear fusion remains an elusive goal for many, the progress made by CFS and other companies in the field continues to inspire hope. As one of nearly 50 privately funded initiatives globally, CFS is at the forefront of a movement that could revolutionize how we produce and consume energy. As we look to the future, the success of CFS and its ARC power plant could serve as a catalyst for further advancements in fusion technology. This endeavor not only holds the promise of a cleaner, more sustainable energy source but also represents a significant step toward reducing global carbon emissions. As the world watches with anticipation, the collaboration between Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Google could pave the way for a new era of energy innovation. Will this partnership mark the beginning of a fusion-powered future, and what implications will it have for the global energy landscape? Only time will tell. Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (20)
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Google Signs Deal to Buy Fusion Energy From Future Virginia Plant
Tech giant Google has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) to buy at least 200 MW of energy from CFS's planned fusion-based power plant in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The deal announced June 30 is the latest among companies in the technology and artificial intelligence (AI) space to secure the power supply for hyperscale data centers. CFS has said it hopes to begin producing fusion energy at a commercial scale early in the next decade. It currently is building a demonstration plant, known as SPARC, in Massachusetts. Michael Terrell, head of advanced energy at Google, said, "By entering into this agreement with CFS, we hope to help prove out and scale a promising pathway toward commercial fusion power. We're excited to make this longer-term bet on a technology with transformative potential to meet the world's future energy demand, and support CFS in their efforts to reach the scientific and engineering milestones needed to get there." Terrell at a June 27 media briefing prior to Monday's announcement acknowledged the company is betting on the promise of fusion despite uncertainties about deployment. "Yes, there are some serious physics and engineering challenges that we still have to work through to make it commercially viable and scalable, but that's something that we want to be investing in now to realize that future," he said. Google as part of its investment in CFS is supporting development of a demonstration tokamak fusion reactor, a donut-shaped technology that uses large magnets and molten plasma to merge atoms and create energy. The challenge for researchers is to get more energy out of a fusion reaction than it takes to create the reaction. Scientists at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California confirmed they had accomplished that goal in a test at the NIF in December 2022. Google has signed several PPAs with various energy groups to buy electricity for its global operations, including purchasing renewable energy since 2010. It also is buying power from battery energy storage and geothermal sites. The company recently committed to support three nuclear power projects with 600 MW of generation capacity, though this is the company's first deal for fusion energy. Google, which began funding CFS in 2021, also said it would increase its investment in CFS, and the deal also gives the company rights to take power from future CFS-built reactors. Terms were not disclosed. Terrell in a blog post on Google's website wrote: "Fusion holds huge potential as an energy source of the future: it's clean, abundant and inherently safe, and it can be built just about anywhere. Commercializing fusion is immensely challenging, and success is not guaranteed. But if it works, it could change the world by providing a more secure and clean energy future." Massachusetts-based CFS, a company spun out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was founded in 2018. The company has raised more than $2 billion in funding. Commonwealth CEO and co-founder Bob Mumgaard said the deal is the "largest offtake agreement for fusion." He said Google's investment would allow his company to continue with the research and development needed for the commercial fusion plant in Virginia, and support completion of the demonstration facility in Devens, Massachusetts. 'Fusion power is within our grasp thanks in part to forward-thinking partners like Google, a recognized technology pioneer across industries,' said Mumgaard. 'Our strategic deal with Google is the first of many as we move to demonstrate fusion energy from SPARC and then bring our first power plant online. We aim to demonstrate fusion's ability to provide reliable, abundant, clean energy at the scale needed to unlock economic growth and improve modern living—and enable what will be the largest market transition in history." The agreement between Google and CFS is tied to the SPARC demonstration achieving net fusion energy, known as Q>1. "It's hard to say exactly how much [the deal with Google] accelerates it, but it definitely puts it in a category where now we can start to work more and more on ARC [the Virginia plant] while we finish SPARC, instead of doing them very sequentially," said Mumgaard, who talked about the company's technology in this 2020 interview with POWER. "In 2024, we achieved approximately 66% global average carbon-free energy across our data centers and offices," Google wrote in a report released last week. Terrell said Google is "using this purchasing power that we have to send a demand signal to the market for fusion energy and hopefully move [the] technology forward." Fusion produces no pollution, and the tokamak is said to generate 10 million times more energy than fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. Unlike nuclear fission, the technology the powers today's reactors, there is no radioactive waste from fusion. "Today's announcement builds on a long history of clean energy leadership. Since 2010 we've procured over 22 GW of clean energy which has helped these technologies mature and enabled us to successfully reduce our data center energy emissions by 12%," said Terrell. "We are adding fusion to our portfolio because of its potential to be transformative in delivering abundant, sustainable energy for the planet. Our new partnership with CFS marks an exciting step forward on this journey." —Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.
Arabian Post
30-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Google Backs Fusion Power in Virginian First Deal
Google has entered a landmark 200‑megawatt power purchase agreement with Commonwealth Fusion Systems, in what is being hailed as the world's first corporate direct offtake of fusion energy. The power will be supplied by CFS's ARC fusion reactor, planned for a site in Chesterfield County, Virginia, a critical data‑centre hub. Under the agreement, Google will also boost its equity stake in CFS, matching its commitment from a previous funding round. Fusion energy, the process that powers stars, remains uncommercialised on Earth, but strides in the field – including a 2022 breakthrough at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory achieving net energy gain – have reignited industry momentum. CFS, spun out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2018, has raised over US$2 billion to develop SPARC, a demonstration reactor scheduled to achieve net fusion energy by 2027. Its success would pave the way for ARC, designed to feed 400 MW of low‑carbon electricity into Virginia's grid by the early 2030s. Google's head of advanced energy, Michael Terrell, acknowledged substantial engineering and physics challenges remain before fusion becomes technically and economically viable. He described the deal as 'a bet worth taking' to accelerate deployment. CFS's CEO, Bob Mumgaard, highlighted the importance of corporate partnerships in navigating the 'teething phase' of fusion, noting Google's investment will support attempts to maintain continuous, grid‑scale operation. ADVERTISEMENT Virginia was chosen as the site for ARC largely due to its status as a 'data‑centre alley'. Its high demand for reliable, carbon‑free power has prompted Dominion Energy Virginia to partner with CFS on site development and regulatory coordination. The investment is also expected to bring economic benefits to Chesterfield County through infrastructure development and job creation. Despite the positive reception, analysts remain cautious. Fusion has historically faced setbacks, and estimates vary, with some projecting a commercial fusion timeline anywhere from 15 to 30 years. Bloomberg New Energy Finance's Chris Gadomski cautions that while advances in computing, materials and superconducting magnets quicken progress, commercial operation remains distant. Google's fusion deal is part of a broader clean‑energy strategy that includes over 170 renewable energy agreements producing some 22 000 MW of wind and solar since 2010. Fusion represents a long‑term addition to that portfolio. However, Google's emissions have grown more than 50 per cent since 2019, underscoring the urgency for genuinely zero‑carbon solutions, particularly as its AI workload continues to expand. CFS has secured $16.5 million in U.S. Department of Energy grants and is collaborating with national labs and universities through DOE's INFUSE programme. Its SPARC project, based in Devens, Massachusetts, is under construction and expected to produce first plasma in 2026 and net energy by 2027. ARC's site in James River Industrial Park will be developed with non‑financial support from Dominion Energy, with formal permit applications expected next year. The regulatory landscape differentiates fusion from conventional fission. With fewer concerns about long‑lived radioactive waste, proactive policy efforts aim to establish a framework conducive to innovation. Still, local and federal permitting remain formidable hurdles. Other industry players and technology rivals are active. In 2023 Microsoft signed a 50 MW PPA with Helion Energy, targeting power delivery by 2028. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has invested heavily in Helion alongside Microsoft. Google's strategic investment in both CFS and TAE Technologies reflects growing interest from big tech in fusion as a potential 24/7 carbon‑free power source. The deal offers multiple strategic gains: it delivers early demand visibility for CFS, encourages investor confidence, and positions Google among leading advocates for next‑generation energy infrastructure. For Virginia, ARC adds to a policy push combining state and federal incentives—including a one‑million‑dollar grant from the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank matched by Chesterfield County—to establish the region as a nexus for clean‑energy technology. Fusion power remains unproven at scale, but the Google‑CFS agreement signifies a shift from speculative R&D to pragmatic commercial planning. As global demand for AI‑driven compute and clean energy intensifies, the deal places fusion at the centre of strategic energy planning, even if its delivery remains a decade away.
Business Recorder
28-06-2025
- Business Recorder
Breaking the chains of child labour
EDITORIAL: That Pakistan has had a long-standing, deep-rooted child labour problem is reflected in the continued exploitation of minors in sectors as varied as agriculture, trade, manufacturing and domestic work. Crippling poverty drives millions of children to enter the workforce at an early age, depriving them of education opportunities and a secure future. As highlighted by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) on the Annual World Day against Child Labour on June 12, urgent, coordinated action is needed to enforce child protection laws, expand access to quality education, and tackle the root causes sustaining this menace. A glaring data gap continues to obscure the true scale of the problem, with the last National Child Labour Survey conducted as far back as 1996, when the number of child labourers was estimated at 3.3 million. Since then, ILO and Unicef figures indicate that this figure may have ballooned to 10-12 million, with the majority toiling in informal sectors that fall outside the purview of labour inspections. Of the four provinces, only Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has conducted a comprehensive child labour survey recently, which found that out of a total population of 8.2 million children, 745,165 are child labourers. All other provinces and the centre have failed to undertake timely surveys that could inform evidence-based policymaking and targeted interventions, allowing the scale and severity of the problem to remain inadequately documented and unaddressed across much of the country. As SPARC has highlighted, an alarming 264,000 children are employed in domestic labour, hidden behind the walls of their employers' homes, with the lack of visibility and regulatory oversight making them especially vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Beyond domestic settings, child labour is deeply embedded across the supply chains of various industries. From brick kilns, cotton fields and textile factories, to construction sites and the service sector, children are routinely engaged in hazardous and exploitative work that robs them of their childhood, education and wellbeing. Reflecting this grim reality, this year's World Day Against Child Labour placed a spotlight on the need to 'End Child Labour in Supply Chains', reinforcing the urgency of dismantling the systems that enable such exploitation, calling for coordinated efforts across government, industry and civil society. At the heart of the crisis lies entrenched poverty and limited access to quality education. For countless families struggling to survive, sending children to work is a financial necessity. Such desperate scenarios reinforce the cycle of poverty, stripping children of the chance to gain an education and build a more secure future. The situation is further exacerbated by weak social protection programmes, forcing families to rely on their children's incomes. Meanwhile, weak regulatory frameworks and poor enforcement continue to enable dangerous labour practices. While provincial governments have introduced a range of laws to curb child labour – such as Punjab's ban on employing children at brick kilns and KP's prohibition on the employment of children under 14 – serious concerns persist regarding their effective enforcement. The huge scale of the problem, limited institutional capacity and resource constraints continue to hinder meaningful progress. Critically absent is a practical pathway that enables children to transition out of labour by ensuring their right to education, but without jeopardising their families' already fragile incomes. SPARC's call to establish education centres at brick kilns in Sindh is one such initiative that should be scaled up nationwide and made mandatory. Clearly, much more needs to be done. From strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies and labour directorates so that they can hold exploitative employers accountable, to building robust social protection systems and reshaping societal attitudes that have normalised child labour, every front demands urgent attention. Meaningful change will only be possible through sustained, collective commitment across all levels of society. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hamilton Spectator
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Brown Heads up Provincial Elks Association
Shaunavon resident Gordon Brown was installed as the new President of the Saskatchewan Elks Association during a ceremony on June 14 in Shaunavon, as part of the Association's 96th Annual Conference. The installation, which took place Saturday afternoon, wrapped up several days of meetings, discussions and socializing during the group's annual conference. This was the second time the event was held in Shaunavon. It was first held here in 2022 when Shaunavon's Kyle Stevenson began his term as President. Brown is the third provincial President from the local Lodge, joining Stevenson and long-time member Andy Cox who previously served a term. 'It was a fantastic weekend,' offered Brown, who takes over as president from Drew Kenke. Brown began his time on the Executive in 2022-2023 as Esquire, then moving to 2nd Vice President and serving as 1st Vice President last year. Brown was fast-tracked to his new role due to declining interest in executive roles and some members stepping down for various reasons. Kyle Stevenson is also going through the seats again and will be sworn in for a second term of Presidency at the Provincial Conference in 2026, which will once again be held in Shaunavon. Andy Cox is the new District 10 representative, a position which he has held multiple times in the past. Forty delegates from across the province took part in the gathering. Dignitaries in attendance included Grand Installing Knight Eugene Hartter from Wilkie Lodge who is also the Grand Lecturing Knight nationally. A Patrol Team from Bengough was on hand to participate in the ceremony. Brown first joined the Elks in 2011-2012 at the encouragement of Stevenson. Brown says, 'Once you see what they do provincially and nationally, it hits home that it's more than a small-town club in one community. At one of my first provincial events, Tanai Wilkins, a local beneficiary of the SPARC (Saskatchewan Pediatric Auditory Rehab Centre) program was in attendance. You don't realize until you see or know someone that has benefited, just how important our work is.' SPARC is a pioneer in cochlear implant technology and is located at the Jim Pattison's Children Hospital in Saskatoon. The Saskatchewan Elks Foundation Corporation is a registered charity established in 1991 which promotes and supports the needs of the individual and the community at large through a variety of programs and services including SPARC. SPARC is an early detection, assessment, and (re)habilitation program for hearing impaired children in the province. Funds from the Trucks & Bucks Lottery that the Foundation manages will go towards SPARC over the next three years to fund a sound booth for the Hospital. Annual Walkathon funds are also directed to SPARC. Each President establishes a theme that they want to focus on during their term. Brown says, 'My theme is 'Nobody Does it Like the Elks'. Over all my years as an Elk I've noticed, through conversations and seeing what the Elks do, that we take things to heart. When we put on events or help people, it's more than just words on a wall. We do whatever we do to the best of our ability. We don't take shortcuts and we're there for the children and people we're helping because it's the right thing to do.' There are currently 39 paying members in Shaunavon's Lodge. Brown adds, 'Not everyone comes out, but they are still supporting through their dues. We're trying to make it intriguing to join. The more members we have, the more events we can do which means we can give more back to the community.' Brown says they would love to be able to help with every request they receive, but the current reality is that they can't and he encourages everyone to support them where possible. Future projects may include a capital upgrade to the parking lot at the Elk's Hall and potential development of horseshoe pits in a space east of the hall. Brown is looking forward to his new role, saying, 'It's a privilege and honour to step into this role for an organization with such rich tradition and with the support of all my brothers and sisters Elks. I'm excited to see what we can do this year to raise membership and to keep the Elks of Canada strong.' The Saskatchewan Elks Association has been around since 1929. There are currently just over 40 Lodges in the province. In addition to supporting SPARC, the Association is also involved with a project called 'Saskatchewan Elks Seniors Homes'. The goal is to provide appropriate and affordable accommodations for Saskatchewan seniors. There are currently 135 living quarters in eight communities across the province: Davidson, Esterhazy, Hanley, Moose Jaw, Moosomin, Nipawin, Prince Albert, and Rosetown. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
