China's Hanhai Nuclear Energy to Launch First Commercial Linear FRC Fusion Device

China is on the verge of a significant breakthrough in nuclear fusion technology with the imminent activation of its first commercial linear Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) fusion device. The HHMAX-901 main machine, developed by Hanhai Nuclear Energy, is scheduled to be officially launched on July 18th. This event signifies a transition from laboratory experimentation to practical application for China's linear FRC controlled nuclear fusion technology.

Nuclear fusion, the process where light atomic nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei and release enormous energy, is considered the ultimate energy source due to its abundant raw materials and lack of pollution. Currently, there are three main technological paths for controlled nuclear fusion: gravitational field confinement, laser inertial confinement, and magnetic confinement. Among these, magnetic confinement is the most prevalent, with key technologies including Tokamak (circular magnetic field), Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC), stellarator (complex external magnetic field), and magnetic mirror.

Hanhai Nuclear Energy focuses on the FRC technology within magnetic confinement, making it the first company in China to adopt this path. The FRC linear device, which is about to be activated, is Hanhai's first-generation fusion device. The company has completed seed and angel rounds of funding in March 2023 and April 2024, respectively, with investors including Qingzhou Capital, Qiji Ventures, Huaying Capital, and Houshi Fund. The total funding raised so far exceeds 50 million yuan. The company is currently seeking additional funding to support the completion of its first-generation fusion device.

In the short to medium term, Hanhai Nuclear Energy is focusing on non-power generation tasks such as nuclear medicine (e.g., Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, BNCT), neutron imaging, and nuclear waste treatment. The company aims to achieve commercialization by the end of 2025. It believes that the linear fusion technology path has the advantage of quickly realizing a neutron source, which can be used in nuclear medicine, neutron photography, and other applications. The company plans to generate revenue from these applications between 2026 and 2028.

The second-generation device is expected to begin construction in 2026, with the goal of power generation. The company plans to collaborate with nuclear power plant operators by the end of 2030 to build a demonstration fusion power plant capable of outputting 50 megawatts of energy. By the early 2030s, the company aims to develop a commercial fusion device with an output of over 100 megawatts and significantly lower cost per kilowatt-hour, achieving the industrialization of fusion power plants.

Compared to the popular Tokamak technology, the FRC device has a linear structure (as opposed to the circular structure of Tokamak). It uses the magnetic field generated by the plasma itself and interacts with the external magnetic field to form a closed circular magnetic field structure, confining the high-temperature, high-pressure plasma and achieving controlled nuclear fusion reactions. The advantages of this technology include lower construction and operating costs, higher energy efficiency, faster commercialization, and greater stability and safety.

The FRC path, with its advantages, is expected to be the first to achieve commercialization. The device does not require a large toroidal magnetic field coil, reducing the amount of magnetic material by over 80% and the device volume by 50%. The construction cost is only 1/5 to 1/10 of that of a Tokamak. The use of copper wire magnets (instead of superconducting magnets) significantly reduces maintenance costs. The cost of the first-generation device is approximately 300 million yuan, and subsequent devices are expected to be even more cost-effective due to rapid modular iteration.

The self-organizing properties of the plasma reduce energy loss, allowing for a fusion power output that is 100 to 1000 times higher than that of a Tokamak under the same magnetic field strength. The device is compatible with advanced fuels such as hydrogen-boron, resulting in higher fuel utilization and a 30% increase in energy conversion efficiency. The simple structure and modular design of the FRC device shorten the development-to-demonstration plant cycle by over 50% compared to Tokamak.

Currently, the FRC technology is being applied by companies such as TAE Technologies and Helion Energy in the United States, LINEA innovations in Japan, and Nova Fusion and Hanhai Nuclear Energy in China. These companies have relatively advanced commercialization plans for the FRC path. The FRC device has no risk of current disruption caused by the toroidal magnetic field, significantly improving plasma confinement stability. The linear structure allows for active control, enabling a quick response to abnormal situations. As the technology develops, the FRC path is expected to become the first to achieve commercialization. The device does not require an external heating source or toroidal magnetic field, has a simple structure, and low construction and operating costs, making it a strong contender for commercial power generation.