The brief

Analyst view

• W7-X set world record 43-second triple-product in May 2025, exceeding tokamak performance.
• IPP sites in Garching and Greifswald run ASDEX Upgrade and collaborate on DEMO.
• Advancing stellarator physics toward commercial fusion power plant validation.

Technical approach

As reported

Stellarator design

Alternative to tokamaks with inherent stability

Specially shaped coils confine plasma, offering stability and steady-state operation.

Long-pulse operation

Demonstrating sustained fusion reactions

W7-X pushes toward longer plasma durations and higher energy densities, working toward the multi-minute pulses needed for power generation.

International collaboration

Building on global fusion expertise

Partners with Oak Ridge and others, spreading knowledge across fusion.