The Stellarex Path to a Stellarator Fusion Pilot Plant

Stellarex, Inc., is pursuing a rapid path to practical, economical, steady-state fusion energy based on the optimized stellarator configuration. The plan is to use a plasma configuration numerically optimized for good neoclassical, turbulent transport, and stability properties, validated through integrated simulation. This optimization approach builds on recent techniques and results developed through the Simons Foundation’s Hidden Symmetries project as well as the DOE and world stellarator program. It also builds on the experimental validation of the predictability of stellarator numerical design by the W7-X experiment and the advances in understanding experimental transport in LHD and tokamak experiments. The Stellarex plan is to simplify the construction and maintenance process using dipole magnets for plasma shaping, and simplified coil construction techniques using isotropic high temperature superconductors. The engineering approach benefits from key technical developments in the ITER, DOE, and world fusion and superconductor programs.