From pilots to programs: Shaping the future of nuclear fusion partnerships
As momentum builds around the commercialization of fusion, the nuclear energy industry is beginning to lay the groundwork for the partnerships, infrastructure strategies and delivery models that will shape its path forward. AECOM’s senior vice president and global energy practice lead, Jennifer Obertino, explores the themes and questions shaping the next phase of fusion commercialization — from scaling beyond pilots to establishing the collaborative frameworks needed to support a fusion-powered future.
Recently, I joined industry leaders from Type One Energy and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) on a panel to discuss the role of partnerships in advancing fusion. As someone who’s spent my career at the intersection of energy innovation and delivery, I know that the path from first-of-a-kind (FOAK) pilot to real-world deployment is never straightforward. It’s a journey that demands technical excellence, trust, transparency, and a willingness to learn, grow and collaborate with others on our collective path to a resilient energy future.
The power of partnerships
No single organization can take on the monumental task of delivering power at the scale, speed or certainty that our current and future energy needs demand. At AECOM, our role is to act as an integrator: bringing together manufacturers, distributors, regulators and communities to orchestrate the complex task of delivering clean energy to those who need it most. Our goal is to connect all the moving pieces into one coordinated system, helping clients turn promising pilots into scalable, profitable programs.
In that panel discussion, I spoke alongside Charlie Baynes-Reid of Type One Energy and Tony Williams of TVA. Together, we explored what it really takes to accelerate fusion’s path to commercialization — and why wide-scale adoption is about more than advancing new technologies and building resilient infrastructure. It is about strengthening partnership frameworks that shorten timelines, reduce risk, and give investors and communities the confidence to believe in fusion’s promise.
Scaling from pilots to programs
I’m especially focused on our work with Type One Energy and TVA on the Infinity Two fusion stellarator project — a collaboration that is already demonstrating how utilities, innovators and integrators can move faster by working together. Pending continued development and regulatory approvals, the preliminary design of this fusion power plant has the potential to supply TVA with reliable, carbon-free power. These experiences reinforce that speed to permit is becoming the new currency in energy infrastructure.
As preliminary design engineering partners, our role is to translate fusion ambition into practical, site-ready infrastructure. Our teams guide clients through regulatory processes, align diverse stakeholders and sustain project momentum even when conditions are challenging.
Building the pathway to the future of fusion energy
Our specialists bring deep engineering expertise and work side-by-side with innovators like Type One Energy and TVA to:
- Translate early-stage fusion concepts into actionable engineering plans, moving projects like Infinity Two from theoretical design to site-ready specifications while ensuring every technical requirement is grounded in real-world constraints.
- Lead site selection and environmental assessments, evaluating locations, modelling impacts and developing permitting strategies that anticipate regulatory hurdles and support a clear path through approvals.
- Integrate complex systems across civil, mechanical, electrical and control disciplines, aligning power, controls and safety systems into a coherent design.
- Develop project controls and risk management frameworks, using digital tools, schedule controls and risk registers to keep delivery on track and transparent for all partners.
- Support first-of-a-kind (FOAK) licensing and compliance, preparing safety cases, licensing submissions and compliance documentation to help de-risk the transition from pilot to commercial operation.
We have made significant progress with our partners in moving fusion from promise to practical, scalable energy. We will continue to help bridge the gap between innovation and implementation as the sector moves toward commercialization.