A Regulatory Breakthrough for Fusion: The Bull Run Energy Complex
This year kicked off to a strong start. Type One Energy took a major step toward bringing fusion power to reality with the submission of its initial licensing application for Tennessee’s first commercial fusion project at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Bull Run Energy Complex near Oak Ridge.
Developed in close collaboration with TVA and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), this byproduct material license application marks a regulatory breakthrough in the fusion sector. It lays the groundwork for a safe and transparent approach to deploying fusion energy technologies and paves the way for collaborative innovation between the private and public sectors.
Fusion energy is the ultimate source of sustainable energy — the power of the stars — but it presents a unique regulatory pathway. “Getting a license for something that doesn’t exist yet certainly presents unique challenges,” said Pascal Dumont, Type One Energy’s Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs & Licensing. Unlike traditional fission reactors, fusion energy has a markedly different risk profile, which poses both hurdles and opportunities in regulatory discussions.
Type One Energy began engaging with regulatory bodies early in the project lifecycle. “On day two after announcing our project, we met with the regulator in Nashville. This first meeting was a three-hour discussion about our journey and how we planned to address potential risks,” Dumont said. This proactive approach not only builds trust but also streamlines the licensing process, making it more efficient.
Fusion’s share of electricity generation could grow to 50% over the next 75 years. Establishing a regulatory pathway for fusion power plants paves the way this promising new energy source.
Commercial Fusion at Scale with Project Infinity
Project Infinity will proceed in several phases at TVA’s Bull Run Energy Complex in Clinton, Tennessee. The first phase, Infinity One, will be operated and deployed by Type One Energy, acting as an engineering verification tool and workforce training center. Infinity One is scheduled for commissioning and startup in 2029.
This then sets the scene for the next phase of the project, Infinity Two, a 400 MWe fusion power plant using stellarator technology, with construction potentially starting as early as 2028. The collaborative, multi-phased nature of Project Infinity, alongside the TVA’s close involvement, ensures strong alignment with both the region’s energy needs and creates high-skilled jobs for the local market.
A Significant Turning Point
Submitting the byproduct material license application establishes a clear regulatory path for commercial fusion at the Bull Run site. This confirms that fusion can be licensed under existing safety frameworks designed for low-risk technologies such as particle accelerators and nuclear medicine.
In 2023, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) decided to regulate fusion systems under the byproduct materials framework, one that recognized the technology’s low safety risk. Type One Energy’s approach via this submission builds on that. Working with the TVA and the TDEC, the application makes Bull Run a model for how states can implement this guidance effectively.
This process also demonstrates how collaboration and regulatory clarity can still accelerate deployment while maintaining the highest standards of safety and innovation. It’s not just limited to the U.S. either: Tennessee’s Bull Run model could guide wider national and global fusion efforts.
Project Infinity is a monumental stepping stone to scaling safe, sustainable fusion power. Type One Energy’s licensing application is about more than complying with regulatory requirements. It is a model for fusion power plants around the world.