• View into the vacuum vessel of Wendelstein 7-X in Greifswald
    Technology

    International Control Converges on Fusion Energy Startups

    International control of fusion technologies is not as prominently spotlighted as that of fission reactor technologies—but that does not mean it is irrelevant. Compliance procedures for fusion reactors are generally more straightforward than for fission-based nuclear power plants. However, fusion ventures are entering new regulatory terrain, which introduces uncertainty. Meeting international obligations will need to be demonstrated in national licensing applications. Key Areas of Regulatory Attention 1) IAEA Nuclear Safeguards Fusion reactors do not fall under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear safeguards per se, as they do not use uranium or plutonium. Although lithium-6 and tritium are technically usable in nuclear weapons, they lie outside the scope of traditional…