The Science and Scaling of Helion Energy

Monday - May 22 2023, 23:29 UTC - 1 year ago

Helion Energy is a technology company with a focus on developing high-power, high-pulse-rate energy systems. Their seventh-generation prototype, Project Polaris, is expected to increase its pulse rate from one pulse every 10 minutes to one pulse per second. The eight prototype, Antares, is in its design stage with the goal to make Polaris work at 10 pulses per second. Their sixth system operates at 10 kEV with over 10,000 shots while the seventh system works at 20 kEV, expected to be operational by the end of 2023.

David Kirtley discusses the science and scaling at Helion Energy.

7th prototype Polaris .

Helion’s seventh-generation prototype, Project Polaris was in development in 2021, with completion expected in 2024. The device was expected to increase the pulse rate from one pulse every 10 minutes to one pulse per second for short periods. The goal is to increase the pulse rate to one per second and then to 10 shots per second. This will be 600 to 6000 times more frequent than the previous prototype. They have already built smaller steady state capacitor systems that have sustained hundreds of shots per second. Helion has had low pulse rate high power systems and high pulse rate low power systems. The Polaris system will bring this together with high pulse rate high power systems.

8th prototype Antares .

As of January 2022, an eighth prototype, Antares, is in the design stage. Hitting the goals for the Microsoft obligations. Helion Energy will need to make Polaris work at 10 pulses per second and then make Antares work with Polaris energy generation and Antares energy capture.

6th system is working at about 10 kEV (10 thousand electron volts). Over 10,000 shots. 7th system will work at 20 kEV. Want to have it operating by the end of 2023. 8th or 9th systems to get to the ideal operating levels of 100 kEV.