Fluor signs agreement to develop design and engineering for US laser fusion energy plants

Image: Fluor

American engineering and construction company Fluor has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop preliminary design and engineering for laser fusion power plants.

The MOU with Longview Energy Systems aims to develop its plans for fusion-powered plants of 1,000-1,600MW.

The idea for the power plant is based upon a recent breakthrough at the National Ignition Facility in Livermore, California, showing the experimental demonstration of fusion with energy gain.

Longview Fusion Energy Systems chief executive Ed Moses said the proposed plant would, “combine modern, efficient lasers and a patented design to replicate these conditions several hundred times a minute – similar to the repetitive pulses in a car engine but delivering one million horsepower.”

Fluor will act as engineering and construction partner to develop designs for the plant.

Tom D’Agostino, group president of Fluor’s Mission Solutions business, said, “Fluor is a leader in designing and building solutions to create a sustainable future and our partnership with Longview Fusion Energy Systems builds upon that experience.

“From developing and constructing large-scale energy facilities to designing, building and operating complex chemical processing and innovative industrial projects, our expertise helps clients reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency and deliver cleaner, decarbonized projects. We look forward to working with Longview on the mission to demonstrate the feasibility of laser fusion technology and deliver it to the commercial market.”