TheTechno Optimist.

Z-Pinch Fusion Power PlantZap Energy—Zap Energy's liquid bismuth loop achieves 1,000 hours of continuous operationZ-Pinch Fusion Power PlantZap Energy—U.S. Department of Energy approves Zap Energy's 50 MW fusion pilot plant preconceptual design

Zap Energy

Z-pinch fusion, fission-fusion hybrid, compact power

US$1.1B deal valueest. 2017zapenergy.com (opens zapenergy.com)Checked 10 Oct

The brief

Analyst view
  • Raised $327M through Series D (September 2024) led by Soros Fund Management, Chevron, Shell, and Gates-linked investors.
  • DOE approved preconceptual design for 50 MW pilot plant in May 2026.
  • Liquid bismuth loop passed 1,000 hours of continuous operation in August 2026.

Technical approach

As reported
Confinement

Sheared-flow Z-pinch without magnets

Current-driven plasma compression eliminates complex magnetic systems or lasers. Plasma is held by its own current in liquid metal cooling channels.

Cooling

Liquid metal heat transfer

Shared coolant systems work across fusion, hybrid, and fission modules. Liquid metals transfer high heat density and enable tritium breeding.

Fuel cycle

Integrated power platform

Fusion, hybrid, and fission modules can be built independently or together, offering a path from near-term fission power to fusion.

Applications

Flexible deployment

Modular design targets AI data centers, industrial heat, remote sites, and grid power with a compact footprint.

Primer