Saxony has a big bet on the future of clean power.
With the launch of SaxFusion, the German state has established its first network of capabilities specialized in fusion energy. This is a technology known as the “Holy Grail” of sustainable power generation.
Coordinated by Helmholtz-Sendram-Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) and co-led by Fraunhofer Institute of Materials Technology (IWS), the new alliance will bring cutting-edge research institutes, industry partners and international projects to accelerate the path to clean, reliable energy sources.
A new era of fusion energy in Saxony
Fusion energy, the process that moves the sun, promises a source of almost infinite carbon-free power.
By fusing nuclei at extreme temperatures, scientists can release enormous amounts of energy without producing greenhouse gases or long-lived radioactive waste.
However, despite decades of research and major milestones from projects such as France’s Iter and Germany’s Wendelstein 7-X, the technology still faces important challenges. Particularly on plasma control, material durability, and energy efficiency.
This is where SaxFusion intervene. The network’s goal is to transform Saxony into a central hub for fusion energy research and development, helping Germany and Europe build the expertise they need to move from experimental physics to commercial-scale power plants.
Over the next three years, SaxFusion will map existing know-how, strengthen partnerships, and develop new functions in four key areas: laser and optical technology, fusion fuel capsule development, reactor materials research, advanced simulation and data analysis.
Building a bridge between science and industry
SaxFusion is not just a research consortium, it is a bridge between scientific discovery and industrial applications.
The initiative aims to serve as a central point for contacts for businesses, universities and government agencies interested in fusion technology and its economic potential.
By connecting regional strengths in high-tech manufacturing, materials science and digital engineering, Saxony hopes to position itself at the forefront of the global fusion race.
The project’s co-leader, Fraunhofer IWS, plays a key role in transforming scientific advancements into practical innovations.
Known for its advanced manufacturing and material processing expertise, the institute will focus on technology transfer and enable it to expand and adopt breakthroughs made at the institute in the industry.
This approach will benefit SMEs, particularly SMEs, help them access new markets and integrate into emerging fusion energy supply chains.
HZDR will take the helm
Strategic management and coordination of SaxFusion is handled by HZDR.
Through Görlitz’s Advanced Systems Centers (CASUS) and the Institute of Radiophysics in Dresden, HZDR contributes decades of experience in plasma physics, high power lasers, and computational modeling.
Researchers at the center are already known for their pioneering work simulating plasma behavior and test materials that can withstand extreme conditions in fusion reactors.
HZDR’s involvement also ensures strong links with major European and international projects. Saxfusion connects Saxony directly to world-leading research infrastructure, such as the European XFEL, Extreme Light infrastructure, and international fusion centres such as Iter and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).
These partnerships allow Saxon researchers to collaborate on global challenges, introducing their contributions at the international stage.
Supporting Germany’s National Agenda
SaxFusion supports a broader German government strategy to accelerate the commercial deployment of fusion energy.
The Federal Department of Research, Technology and Space has recently announced an action plan to strengthen the fusion ecosystem, from building large-scale research infrastructures to developing a complete industrial value chain to training next-generation fusion experts. SaxFusion fits directly into this vision by combining academic research with industrial innovation.
Related research and infrastructure funding may also come from the Just Transition Fund, a European Union device designed to support regions affected by the decline of the coal industry. For Saxony, this offers a unique opportunity to reform itself as a clean energy powerhouse.
A vision for a sustainable future
By integrating academia, industrial and international partners under one banner, Sachs Fuse marks the turning point in Saxony’s scientific landscape.
The collaborative model of the network ensures that breakthroughs in plasma research, laser technology, and materials science can be converted into real-world energy solutions.
The path to practical fusion power remains challenging, but Saxophone figusion places Saxony and Germany at the forefront of transformative global efforts.
If successful, this initiative can do more than move science forward. You can redefine how Europe produces that energy – clean, safe and sustainable.
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