Eni, magnetic confinement fusion: energy that mimics the stars

Eni supports research into game-changing technologies that can generate a breakthrough in the energy transition. This vision brings huge challenges, including the development of magnetic confinement fusion, which involves the fusion of two lightweight atoms, like the hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium, in turn releasing a substantial amount of energy. This would mark a genuine revolution in the energy sector, since this technology, once industrialised, could enable the generation of vast quantities of energy with minimal emissions. It promises a safe, steady, and virtually inexhaustible process, perfectly aligned with decarbonisation objectives.

Pursuing the path towards this new energy source, no matter how lengthy it may be, puts us on the path to a sustainable future. Fusion energy has the potential to make a significant contribution to the array of clean energy sources that are essential in the fight against climate change.

Magnetic confinement fusion technology operates on the same physical principle that powers stars, including our sun, allowing them to generate their own energy. However, replicating this process on Earth is highly complex due to the lack of gravitational confinement, temperature and pressure conditions found in celestial bodies. Therefore, according to the scientific community, obtaining energy from fusion is one of the greatest technological challenges humanity has ever faced.

In terms of the process, the fusion reaction is different from nuclear fission: whereas fission generates energy by splitting a heavy atom, fusion does precisely the opposite. Indeed, the fusion process involves combining two light atoms, such as hydrogen isotopes, to form a new element (helium), which is lighter than the combined mass of the original atoms. This reaction unleashes a huge amount of energy, as described by Einstein’s famous equation (E=mc²).

The elements typically employed in fusion processes are Deuterium and Tritium, which are two isotopes of hydrogen. Deuterium is extracted from seawater, whereas Tritium can be generated through a nuclear reaction involving lithium within the fusion reactor.

A fusion power plant will be intrinsically safe: in the event of a malfunction, the fusion reaction will stop by itself. Only a few grams of deuterium-tritium mixture will be present at any one time inside the magnetic confinement machine called the “Tokamak”. Upon reaching the end of its service life, the machine can be safely decommissioned. The materials within its structural components, which will have undergone only weak activation, will exhibit low levels of radioactivity, simplifying their management. Within several decades, these materials may even be suitable for recycling.

The technological objective pursued by the world’s leading energy research institutions is to study, design and build systems capable of replicating and controlling, here on Earth, physical reactions akin to those occurring at the core of stars.

Eni was among the first energy companies to support the development of fusion energy, with an approach spanning various initiatives. Today, Eni’s commitment is developed on several dimensions – industrial, technological and business – and is based on a programme that therefore includes commitments on several fronts. Eni continues to focus on scientific and technological research into fusion energy, seeing it as a possible breakthrough in the path to decarbonisation.

Collaborative agreements with leading industry players, centres of excellence and universities hold strategic significance for all of Eni’s operations, allowing the company to expedite the shift towards more sustainable energy solutions.

Growing private investment in fusion energy marks a significant shift in a field that, until recently, was predominantly the domain of major institutional projects. Private companies are now decisively accelerating, bringing innovation, resources, and execution capabilities that increasingly solidify the path to commercialising fusion energy. This new centrality of the private sector is considered one of the key factors in transforming fusion from a research project to an industrial reality.

Despite varying methods and strategies, the global objective is to establish the first fusion power plant that can supply climate-neutral energy to the grid. Research success gives the impression that the goal of fusion energy is no longer a distant goal.