Seattle emerges as America's Fusiontown

The Seattle region is solidifying its place as a global leader in the race for fusion energy, with five major companies looking to crack the code on the clean, sustainable power source. Why it matters: In a rapidly warming and carbon-dependent world, there's a "huge prize" for developing and commercializing fusion energy, Mike Sexsmith of General Fusion said last month at Seattle Fusion Week. Catch up quick: Fusion — in which atoms' nuclei are fused to release energy — promises effectively limitless, zero-emissions power without the radioactive byproducts produced by today's fission-based nuclear plants. The big picture: When and if mastered, fusion could become a $40 trillion global market, Bloomberg estimates. Zoom in: Speaking at the Fusion Week conference hosted by the CleanTech Alliance last month, consultant Chris Ajemian said Washington's ecosystem positions the state exceptionally well to nurture the burgeoning fusion industry. Driving the news: Everett-based Helion Energy anno

The Seattle region is solidifying its place as a global leader in the race for fusion energy, with five major companies looking to crack the code on the clean, sustainable power source. Why it matters: In a rapidly warming and carbon-dependent world, there's a "huge prize" for developing and commercializing fusion energy, Mike Sexsmith of General Fusion said last month at Seattle Fusion Week. Catch up quick: Fusion — in which atoms' nuclei are fused to release energy — promises effectively limitless, zero-emissions power without the radioactive byproducts produced by today's fission-based nucl