Fusion Technology at TVA

Innovative solutions are key to unleashing American energy. TVA is evaluating new technologies with high potential to become commercial energy sources over the next decade.

Fusion has the potential to become a reliable and resilient power generation technology, allowing TVA to support new industries, grow businesses and serve the 10 million people in the Tennessee Valley region.

Through partnership between Type One Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and with support from the state of Tennessee, TVA is helping drive the Infinity One fusion project forward to unleash American-led energy innovation.

The value of fusion power

Fusion shows the potential to provide a reliable and consistent power supply, contributing to a stable and resilient power grid. The fusion reaction also produces no long-term radioactive waste and emits low levels of radiation. Other environmental benefits include having no carbon emissions and the potential for developing commercial technology that could provide unlimited fuel sources.

Benefits of fusion technology

Unlimited clean power

Safe to use and produce

Power where you need it

Power when you need it

Competitive and stable cost

The fusion frontier at TVA’s Bull Run

TVA’s Bull Run Fossil Fuel Plant in the Claxton community of Anderson County, Tennessee, was decommissioned in December 2023 after 56 years in operation. In 2024, Type One Energy announced it would build its Infinity One stellarator prototype inside a repurposed section of Bull Run.

TVA and Type One Energy expanded on that Cooperative Agreement in 2025, announcing to jointly develop plans for a 350-megawatt fusion pilot power plant, named Infinity Two. This new plant could offer a complementary source of baseload electrical generation for the region as early as the mid-2030s.

TVA’s partnership with Type One Energy does not impact the development of other generation sources at the site. The project to build a synchronous condenser, located with Infinity One inside the turbine room, is moving forward.

Bull Run Fossil Fuel Plant (decommissioned in 2023)

What is fusion energy?

Fusion energy is what powers the Sun and other stars. Fusion joins smaller atoms together to form a new, heavier nucleus. As the atoms combine, they release heat that can produce electricity.

How is fusion energy different from nuclear fission?

Fusion brings atoms together while fission splits atoms apart. The fusion reaction produces no long-term radioactive waste and emits low levels of radiation.

What is Infinity One?

Type One Energy's Infinity One is a fusion power prototype. This prototype will allow the company and TVA to verify important design features that would be used in future potential fusion power plants. These features include efficiency, reliability, maintenance and affordability.