Utilities are racing to link up with fusion startups, with Realta Fusion the latest to benefit

For now, the benefits of these deals are more tangible for startups, which gain access to expertise and real estate that might otherwise be costly or simply out of reach. It’s a capital-efficient way to de-risk a famously capital-intensive business.

For utilities, the potential rewards are farther afield though the payoff in terms of new power supplies could be significant. 

Utilities are used to tackling projects with long timelines, though they aren’t accustomed to taking big risks, of which fusion power is one. Still, an underpowered grid would be an even bigger gamble. Better to bet now on a technology that promises to save their business years down the road. It might take a decade to build a commercial fusion power plant, and while that might seem like a long time, to utilities, it’s practically tomorrow.