Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Stellarex Inc to investigate the development and deployment of fusion energy in Ontario. The MoU will see them work together to identify potential future siting and deployment of a stellarator fusion energy device in the province. Under the MoU, the two partners will also explore establishing a center of excellence for fusion energy in Ontario.
Fusion energy technology development company Stellarex is a spinout of Princeton University in the U.S. It is dedicated to the near-term realization of commercial fusion energy production employing stellarators. The stellarator approach to fusion energy utilizes extremely strong electromagnets to generate twisting magnetic fields to confine plasma and create the right conditions for fusion reactions. Stellarators offer increased plasma stability when compared with tokamaks. They use a torus-shaped magnetic chamber to confine the plasma, require less injected power to sustain the plasma, and allow for the burning plasma to be more easily controlled and monitored. However, stellarators are much more complex than tokamaks to design and construct.
Stellarex has already established supply-chain and fusion ecosystem relationships in Ontario and in the Canadian nuclear sector. It has MoUs with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Hatch, and Kinectrics, as well as several academic institutions in the province.
Kim Lauritsen is the OPG Senior Vice President for Enterprise Strategy and Energy Markets. She said, “Ontario Power Generation has watched with interest as fusion-related technology has progressed over the past few years. As the technology moves toward commercial implementation, this MoU recognizes the role fusion may play as Ontario’s demand for clean energy increases over the next several decades.”
Todd Smith is an Ontario Minister of Parliament. He said, “The world is watching Ontario as we build the next generation of reliable, affordable and clean nuclear power, including the first Small Modular Reactor in the G7.” An MoU was signed during a tour of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France. He added that Ontario's well-established supply chain and experienced operators give the province a “nuclear advantage” and make it “the place to be when it comes to the growing fusion-related industry, creating another opportunity for more good-paying jobs in our communities”.
OPG is preparing to build the first of up to four GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy BWRX-300 small modular reactors (SMRs) at its Darlington site. It has already completed early-phase site preparation work. OPG plans to complete construction of the first unit by the end of 2028 for commercial operation by the end of 2029.
In May of this year, Stellarex signed an MoU with Germany's Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics which is home to the Wendelsten 7-X. The 7-X is the world’s largest stellarator-type fusion device. The partners will collaborate in specific areas of fusion energy science and technology, including the optimization of plasma confinement and power/particle control, by leveraging their shared expertise.
Vancouver-based General Fusion is a private company which intends to build a commercial fusion power plant based on Magnetized Target Fusion technology. In another initiative to explore bringing fusion energy to Ontario, General Fusion signed an MoU in early 2022 to collaborate with Bruce Power and Nuclear Innovation Institute to evaluate the potential installation of a fusion power plant in Ontario.