Zap Energy shows off its new fusion power prototype

Zap Energy, a fusion startup, is developing a new device called Century, aiming to bring fusion power closer to commercial reality. Unlike traditional methods that use magnets or lasers, Zap’s approach, called sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch, compresses plasma using electric currents. Century, standing about a story and a half tall, recently raised $130 million and has already fired over 1,000 consecutive plasma pulses.

Zap's focus isn't just on physics but also on systems engineering, developing key technologies for a commercial fusion plant. The goal is to demonstrate the device to the Department of Energy, running continuous pulses to generate plasma. If successful, Zap plans to build a demo plant by the 2030s, though economic viability remains a challenge for fusion to compete with other energy sources.