Commercial Fusion Power: From Promise to Reality
For decades, the prospect of commercial fusion power has lingered just beyond reach, a tantalizing solution to the global energy challenge that seemed perpetually futuristic. However, recent advances signal a turning point as two pioneering companies, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) and Helion Energy, are making significant strides toward delivering fusion-generated electricity to the grid.
CFS is currently developing SPARC, a demonstration fusion machine designed to validate the technologies needed for its first commercial fusion power plant, ARC. Meanwhile, Helion is building Orion, a 50-megawatt fusion power plant targeting commercial electricity supply to Microsoft by 2028. These ambitious projects represent some of the most concrete steps yet toward realizing fusion’s potential as a clean, reliable energy source.
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Brandon Sorbom, co-founder and chief science officer of CFS, and David Kirtley, founder and CEO of Helion, will share their insights on the breakthroughs propelling fusion forward, the hurdles they still face, and what it will take to integrate fusion power at scale into existing energy grids.
Moving Fusion from Science to Commercial Power
Brandon Sorbom co-founded Commonwealth Fusion Systems in 2018 with a mission to accelerate fusion energy commercialization to help combat climate change. As chief science officer, Sorbom directs the company’s scientific research and development efforts, focusing on advancing ARC’s design, a concept he helped pioneer while earning his PhD at MIT. His academic and practical experience bridges the challenging gap between fusion science and engineering a viable commercial power plant.
Currently, CFS is advancing toward ARC through SPARC, its demonstration reactor. Notably, in April 2026, CFS became the first fusion company to apply to PJM Interconnection, the largest U.S. wholesale electricity market, marking a crucial regulatory milestone toward grid integration. The company’s momentum is backed by strong financial support, having recently raised $1 billion in funding, swelling its total capital to $4 billion.
Sorbom’s journey from academic research to commercial fusion plant development offers valuable perspectives for founders and technology leaders interested in the practical challenges of translating fusion science into operational power generation.
Putting Fusion Power to the Test
David Kirtley founded Helion Energy with the vision of developing fusion technology capable of delivering electricity at commercial scale. With a background as an NSF and NASA Advanced Concepts Fellow specializing in high-beta plasmas for energy and space propulsion, Kirtley brings deep expertise to Helion’s mission.
Helion’s Polaris prototype achieved a significant milestone in February 2026 by heating plasma to 150 million degrees Celsius, a critical step toward sustained fusion reactions. Building on this success, Helion is developing Orion, a 50-megawatt fusion power plant slated to supply electricity to Microsoft as early as 2028. Regulatory progress has also been made: in June, Helion reached a key regulatory milestone necessary for plant construction and operation. Complementing these advances, Helion closed its Series G funding round at $500 million in September 2026, exceeding the initial $465 million target.
While scientific achievements like plasma temperature breakthroughs are essential, the real test lies in converting these milestones into consistent, reliable electricity generation at commercial scale—precisely the challenge Helion and CFS are tackling.
Learn What Still Stands Between Fusion and the Grid at Disrupt 2026
Though Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Helion pursue different technical approaches—SPARC and ARC’s tokamak-based design versus Helion’s unique fusion method—both companies face the shared challenge of transforming scientific progress into dependable power plants. Their upcoming session at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from leaders deeply involved in this transition.
Founders, investors, and technology leaders attending the event will gain valuable insights into the technological, regulatory, and commercial factors moving fusion energy closer to widespread use. The dialogue will explore not only the breakthroughs but also the remaining obstacles and the roadmap to delivering fusion power to the grid at scale.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, held October 13-15 at Moscone West in San Francisco, features over 200 sessions, including roundtables and breakout discussions across six industry stages. With more than 10,000 attendees expected—including founders, investors, and tech leaders—alongside 250+ speakers and 300+ exhibiting startups, the event fosters unparalleled opportunities for networking, dealmaking, and exploring the future of energy technology and beyond.
After decades as the “energy of the future,” fusion power is finally approaching an era of tangible, commercial viability. Don’t miss this chance to learn from two pioneers shaping that future.
