U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm toured the DIII-D National Fusion Facility in San Diego, a key user facility for the nation's fusion energy research program. The visit, hosted by General Atomics, highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the federal government and private industry in advancing fusion science. Secretary Granholm was accompanied by General Atomics CEO Neal Blue, Senior Vice President Anantha Krishnan, and Vice President of Magnetic Fusion Energy Wayne Solomon. The tour focused on the facility's contributions to plasma physics and the development of technologies essential for future fusion power plants. Source: General Atomics / DIII-D

The DIII-D tokamak is a central pillar of the U.S. fusion program, operated by General Atomics on behalf of the Department of Energy's Office of Science. It serves as a critical platform for investigating plasma stability, confinement, and control scenarios relevant to next-generation devices like ITER. The facility supports a broad scientific community, with research conducted by more than 1,000 scientists and engineers from over 100 institutions worldwide. This collaborative model is fundamental to the U.S. government's strategy for accelerating fusion energy development, leveraging both national laboratory expertise and academic innovation. Source: General Atomics / DIII-D

fusion program, operated by General Atomics on behalf of the Department of Energy's Office of Science.

Discussions during the tour emphasized the role of DIII-D in training the next generation of fusion scientists and engineers, a critical workforce development need as the industry moves toward commercialization. The facility's flexible experimental capabilities allow for testing novel plasma scenarios, materials, and diagnostic techniques. These experiments provide foundational data for validating theoretical models and optimizing the design of future fusion reactors. The visit signals continued high-level administrative interest in maintaining the operational readiness and scientific output of major national fusion assets. Source: General Atomics / DIII-D

The Secretary's visit occurs within a broader context of increased public and private investment in fusion energy. While private companies are pursuing a diverse range of confinement concepts, established national facilities like the DIII-D program provide the fundamental physics understanding that benefits the entire ecosystem. The continued operation and potential upgrades to DIII-D are seen as vital for de-risking technical challenges for commercial pilot plants. The outcomes of experiments conducted at the facility directly inform the design and operational strategies for devices aiming to achieve net energy gain and long-pulse operation. Source: General Atomics / DIII-D