Previously updated in April this year, the FusionWERX project has landed a $10 million grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce Green Jobs Grant Program to help launch the program in Eastern Washington. The private-public partnership offering shared R&D resources will be run by Avalanche, who signed the Commerce award contract just weeks ago. The program supports the planning, engineering and construction of clean technology projects.
Robin Langtry, co-founder and CEO of Avalanche, called the new funding “an unexpected but very welcome surprise” that should create 12 permanent jobs in Richland, WA. The company is currently designing the facility and expects most of the site’s equipment to be installed and commissioned by the fall of 2026. Operations should start in 2027. Langtry hasn’t shared a total price tag for the effort.
FusionWERX aims to be one of the most advanced privately owned operations for handling a radioactive form of hydrogen known as tritium. The facility is located in a building that was previously licensed for tritium operations and is owned by the Port of Benton. Interested customers for the space include Fusion Fuel Cycles, a partnership between Kyoto Fusioneering and Canadian Nuclear labs, who have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to test multiple technologies. Other potential collaborations include the U.S. Department of Energy and Washington State University.
Read more about Avalanche and the update here: Avalanche lands $10M Washington state grant to build fusion energy R&D site
View our previous update here: FusionWERX Aims to Break Ground in Eastern Washington | Center of Excellence for Clean Energy