Tennessee's Bull Run coal plant gets second life as fusion energy pilot

Type One Energy Group has announced plans to build its Infinity One fusion energy prototype stellarator at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Bull Run Fossil Plant in Clinton, Tennessee.

Bull Run, an 889MW, coal-fired plant, was decommissioned in December 2023 and the construction of Infinity One at this site aligns with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s vision to position the state as a national leader in clean energy.

The construction of Infinity One could begin in 2025, once environmental reviews, partnership agreements, required permits and operating licenses are secured.

Project Infinity is the result of an agreement signed in 2023 between TVA, Type One Energy and the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

The partners are looking to develop and commercialise fusion energy technologies, a mission that will now be focused on the East Tennessee region.

Project Infinity, which includes the deployment of Infinity One and Type One Energy’s new headquarters, is expected to bolster economic growth and energy technological leadership in the region.

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Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter commented on the announcement: “With assets like Oak Ridge National Lab, Tennessee is the quintessential location for companies like Type One Energy to grow and succeed. This project will not only strengthen Tennessee’s R&D footprint but also further develop our nuclear sector, which wouldn’t be possible without the forethought of Gov. Bill Lee and our Tennessee General Assembly to create the Nuclear Energy Fund.”

Infinity One

The team is currently working to finalise the design and performance specifications of Infinity One. Currently, the device has a 2-3m major radius, magnetic field strength of 2.5-5T and an ion temperature of 2-4keV.

According to the Type One Energy statement, this project will allow the design features of its high field stellarator fusion pilot to be verified, particularly those related to operating efficiency, reliability, maintainability and affordability.

Type One Energy CEO Christofer Mowry emphasised that this announcement was a critical project milestone and he referred to it as a "watershed moment" in the commercialisation of fusion energy.

“Project Infinity will create the world’s highest performance stellarator, offering an excellent platform for a potential long-term fusion research facility,” he said.

“It’s exciting to see a project in Oak Ridge with such great potential to advance fusion energy,” added Oak Ridge National Laboratory director Stephen Streiffer.

“The laboratory has been a pioneer in fusion science and technology dating back to the early 1950s. We look forward to applying our institutional expertise and capabilities in working with Type One Energy on the engineering challenges they will be tackling at this new test facility.”

To ensure an inclusive project process, Type One will begin engaging and collaborating with local communities in the region during the upcoming months.