Key Takeaways
- TAE Technologies signed an agreement with Black Moon Energy Corporation for a prospective helium-3 fuel supply and a commercial development collaboration.
- The deal gives TAE flexibility to select fuel cycles beyond the deuterium-tritium cycle used by many fusion machines.
- TAE is preparing to build its first fusion power plant, Da Vinci, expected to generate 50 MWe and begin operations in 2031.
- Black Moon plans a robotic lunar mission within five years to help de-risk commercial-scale helium-3 production.
- Future TAE facilities are designed to scale to 350 to 500 MWe.
TAE Technologies Secures Helium-3 Supply Option
TAE Technologies has signed an agreement with Black Moon Energy Corporation (BMEC) to support the future commercialization of fusion power through a prospective helium-3 fuel supply and a commercial development collaboration. Under the terms, BMEC would supply helium-3 fuel to TAE, giving the California company a second fuel option as it moves toward its first power plant.
“This agreement can facilitate our path to power by providing an alternative fuel supply option,” said Michl Binderbauer, Chief Executive Officer of TAE Technologies. “TAE has a high degree of flexibility to select from the most cost-competitive fuel cycle, whereas many other fusion machines are able to operate only on the deuterium-tritium cycle; this provides TAE’s technology with future flexibility, depending on how fuel markets change over the long run.”
Why Fuel Flexibility Matters for Fusion
TAE develops a field-reversed configuration approach to fusion and has built six generations of machines, the latest named Norm. Most fusion developers rely only on the deuterium-tritium cycle. TAE says its design can run on multiple fuel cycles, and the agreement adds helium-3 as a long-term option that could improve economics as fuel markets evolve.
Black Moon’s Lunar Supply Plan
Black Moon Energy is a privately funded natural-resource and lunar-development company focused on helium-3, which is also in demand for quantum computing, security systems and medical diagnostics. The company plans one robotic lunar delineation mission within five years to collect data and de-risk a commercial-scale helium-3 production operation.
“Developing a future supply chain for fusion fuels is a critical component of bringing fusion power to market,” said David Warden, Chief Executive Officer of Black Moon Energy Corporation. “By working with TAE, we are helping establish the commercial framework needed to support next-generation energy systems.”
TAE Technologies’ Path to the Da Vinci Plant
After nearly three decades of research and the construction of five fusion machines, TAE is preparing to build its first power plant, Da Vinci, expected to generate 50 MWe and begin operations in 2031. A site is expected to be selected later this year, with future facilities designed to scale to 350 to 500 MWe.
