General Fusion awarded $12.75M from Sustainable Development Technology Canada

Mar. 22, 2016 – Burnaby, B.C.-based Cleantech company General Fusion has been awarded $12.75 million by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to continue developing its fusion energy technology, culminating in the design of a full-scale fusion energy demonstration system.

The grant is part of a 36-project, $206 million package of funds designed to help cleantech companies bridge the gap between research and commercialization.

“The Government of Canada has been a key partner in the evolution of our company and fusion technology,” said Nathan Gilliland, General Fusion CEO. “The dedicated team at SDTC are champions for cleantech and its importance to the diversification of our economy. It’s also important to realize that SDTC’s clean energy projects will help Canada meet its commitment to reducing greenhouse gases,” he said.

“SDTC is incredibly proud to support General Fusion,” said Leah Lawrence, president and CEO of SDTC. “This is the kind of technology that has the potential to generate jobs, growth and export opportunities, and to bring lasting economic, environmental and health benefits to Canadians and the world.”

General Fusion is partnering with McGill University’s Shock Wave Physics Group and Hatch, the global engineering firm headquartered in the Toronto, Ont., area. Hatch will work on the design of the full-scale energy demonstration system that is the next step in General Fusion’s mission to develop its Magnetized Target Fusion technology on an industrial scale, it says. Hatch brings expertise in “power plant design, engineering, material sciences, and technology commercialization to the consortium,” noted General Fusion.

“Hatch has a strong tradition of research and development of new technologies and bridging the gap between ideas and commercial success. We are therefore extremely proud to be a part General Fusion’s innovative team, who are helping to push the world forward with clean technology,” said John Pearson, Hatch’s global managing director. “We’re excited about the opportunity to bring positive change to Canada’s power market through this green technology.”