Development Layout and Insights of Fusion Energy in the United States

Fusion energy, as a crucial direction for future sustainable energy, is increasingly becoming a focal point of global energy research. As a leading nation in fusion energy research, the United States' funding models and development pathways offer valuable insights for the advancement of fusion energy in Chi<sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">na</sup>. This paper systematically reviews the funding strategies, distribution, and trends in the U.S. fusion energy sector. The study reveals that in recent years, the U.S. government has placed high importance on policy support for fusion energy, establishing multiple specialized funding programs. These programs focus on five key areas: plasma science research and fusion engineering; upgrades to magnetic fusion devices and international collaboration; upgrades to inertial fusion devices and scientific research; the integration of fusion energy with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum information; and public-private partnerships for the commercialization of fusion energy. Additionally, funding exhibits a notable regional concentration, with different regions emphasizing various project leads, and a significant increase in the proportion of enterprises among the funded entities. Based on these findings, this paper proposes specific recommendations for the development of China's fusion energy sector from multiple dimensions, including planning and implementation, technological breakthroughs, and the integration and transformation of industry, academia, and research, aiming to provide references for the planning and funding distribution in China's fusion energy sector.