Space Park Leicester’s work on fusion energy in spotlight at national conference

Space Park Leicester’s contribution to the commercialisation of fusion energy has come under the spotlight at a new national conference.

Experts from the University of Leicester’s £100 million science and innovation park were invited to share their expertise at the inaugural Fusion Fest event which was held in London this week by The Economist.

The event was staged to help businesses learn how they could benefit from fusion’s promise of zero-carbon, continuous power.

Dr Francesca Faedi, of Space Park Leicester and the School of Business at the University of Leicester, was invited to take part in a panel discussion called Fusion’s ‘Apollo moment’ – from mission to market.

She said: “It was fantastic to be invited to take part in the inaugural Fusion Fest event in London.

“It was an incredibly timely event because the world is working towards achieving fusion energy which could lead to an unprecedented leap in power generation.

“During my panel session we examined how to use lessons learned from commercialisation in space to push the commercialisation of fusion. 

“We looked at pivotal moments in the space sector’s history and whether they could offer a roadmap for fusion’s transition from research labs to real-world energy markets. As private capital flows into space, we considered what lessons fusion could take in building an ecosystem that attracts investment, mitigates risk and delivers a transformative impact.

“I explained how places such as Space Park Leicester are supporting this commercialisation and new innovation. We also discussed how university-led research can drive forward commercial endeavours.”

Other members of the panel included Space DOTS Chief Executive and Co-founder Bianca Cefalo, Kyoto Fusioneering Co-founder and Chief Innovator Richard Pearson and SHINE Technologies Founder and Chief Executive Greg Piefer. The session was moderated by The Economist Senior Editor Oliver Morton.