A new independent report commissioned by the Air Quality Working Group (CATF), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting carbon-free energy solutions and developing innovative strategies to combat climate change, demonstrates how artificial intelligence (AI) is crucial to unlocking the potential of fusion energy.
Fusion is the process that powers the sun and occurs when two atomic nuclei combine to release energy. It relies on common materials like water and lithium and has the potential to generate large amounts of carbon-free energy, while producing no radioactive waste that would require long-term storage.
In order to accelerate the commercialization of fusion energy, new technologies, new materials and new inventions are needed. Before the use of cloud computing and AI, the pace of fusion progress was determined by empirical science: building machines, testing ideas, generating data sets, then choosing the next design based on an update. on an empirical scale. This manual design process could take years or even decades to progress.
Today CATF reportbacked by Amazon Web Services (AWS), finds that AI can accelerate fusion energy development by improving research, optimizing designs, improving diagnostics, and streamlining workflows.
European and British companies play an important role in fusion innovation. By 2050, the European fusion market is expected to exceed $4 billion, highlighting its technological and economic potential. The UK is poised to become a significant player in the fusion supply chain, particularly in the area of high-temperature superconducting magnets. UK startups are supported by the government’s public-private partnerships, including the Fusion Futures programme, which aims to accelerate development in the UK.
The publication comes at a critical time for the energy transition. As nations, governments, businesses and society move towards electrification and digitalization, the demand for carbon-free energy is increasing significantly. By advancing fusion energy technologies, AI can further fuel the digital transformation of industries by providing scalable, carbon-free energy to grids in a way that complements existing renewable energy technologies like energy wind and solar.
Amazon’s Focus on Sustainable Innovation
Amazon, including AWS, has long been committed to delivering innovative new solutions in the fight against climate change, as we work to meet our climate commitment of net zero carbon by 2040. As part of this commitment , we continued to invest in carbon-free energy solutions, including more than 500 wind and solar projects around the world, and reaching our renewable energy target seven years ahead of schedule. As a result, we are the largest buyer of renewable energy over the past four years, according to Bloomberg NEF.
AWS’ support of this report is part of its approach to democratizing access to AI technologies to generate value for start-ups, enterprises and public institutions around the world. By providing the cloud infrastructure and AI tools essential for innovation, AWS enables its customers to make significant progress not only in the energy sector, but across the global economy.
Among AWS customers leading the way in the energy transition is Realta Fusion, a revolutionary fusion energy company based in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Realta uses AWS’s industry-leading cloud infrastructure and AI capabilities to run large-scale simulations critical to the development of its fusion devices. In the report, Kieran Furlong, CEO of Realta explained how “AWS was able to provide the capacity we needed to advance our simulations,” highlighting AWS’ role in society’s transition to carbon-free energy.
Lindsay McQuade, EMEA Director of Energy at Amazon, said: “At Amazon, we are committed to investing in and supporting a wide range of carbon-free energy, storage and grid modernization technologies that can help us progress toward our climate commitment to reach net zero carbon in the world. all of our operations by 2040. and advance society’s transition to a low-carbon energy system for all. Fusion Energy is a cutting-edge technology with the potential to transform the energy system and deliver carbon-free energy consistently at scale. AI plays a critical role in addressing the technical challenges facing fusion technology and accelerating its commercialization.
Dr Simon Woodruff, lead author of the Fusion Advisory Services reportsaid: “AI is proving to be a game-changer for fusion research, opening new vistas and accelerating progress in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago. By leveraging the power of AI, we are significantly facilitating its commercialization, which could play a key role in addressing global energy challenges by providing carbon-free baseload energy.
Sehila Gonzalez, Global Director of Fusion Energy at CATFsaid: “Significant progress in the fight against climate change depends on strong partnerships between the public and private sectors. Our report highlights how such collaboration can drive clean energy innovation, and we are pleased that AWS has chosen to support this important work.
In addition to its support of this report, AWS is committed to continuing to collaborate with public institutions, private sector partners and regulators to accelerate the development of carbon-free energy technologies. Moving forward, AWS will continue to support energy companies and start-ups developing these cutting-edge technologies. By creating synergies between AI and fusion energy, AWS aims to enable and support sustainable and scalable energy solutions for the future.
Learn how Amazon is leveraging AI to drive sustainability here.