Bill Gates is building an ‘artificial sun’ that could replace coal in the US
Times of India
by TOI SCIENCE DESKFebruary 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Bill Gates is spearheading an innovative energy project known as Infinity One, a fusion reactor designed to mimic the Sun's power through nuclear fusion. This groundbreaking technology aims to replace coal-fired electricity generation in the United States. Located at the former Bull Run Fossil Plant site in Claxton, Tennessee, Infinity One is a collaboration between Bill Gates-backed Type One Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The project submitted its first major licensing application in January 2026, marking a significant step toward transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner energy.
Fusion reactors differ from traditional nuclear fission plants by combining light atoms instead of splitting them, releasing massive amounts of energy. Infinity One utilizes a stellarator design, which employs complex magnetic coils to confine plasma at extremely high temperatures—around 100 million degrees Celsius. This design addresses stability issues found in other fusion approaches like tokamaks, offering a more reliable method for sustained energy production.
The project benefits from recent regulatory changes in the U.S., where fusion energy is now classified under a framework similar to particle accelerators, reducing regulatory hurdles compared to traditional nuclear power. Since early 2024, Type One Energy and TVA have worked closely with Tennessee state regulators to ensure safety and environmental standards are met.
If successful, Infinity One will be the first commercial fusion project in Tennessee and a major milestone in global energy innovation. This shift from coal to fusion energy highlights the potential for cleaner, sustainable power generation, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/23/2026