 Washington-based Helion has broken ground on a fusion power plant in Malaga in Chelan County. Photo: Helion.
September News
MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
Helion Energy breaks ground on fusion power plant
Washington-based fusion energy startup Helion Energy began construction in July for its first fusion power plant in Chelan County. The facility, named Orion, will utilize Helion’s proprietary pulsed, non-ignition fusion technology, designed to directly convert fusion energy into electricity without relying on steam turbines, offering scalable, zero-carbon baseload power, World Nuclear News reports. The power plant is powered by deuterium and helium-3 and is expected to produce a target of 50 megawatts.
Microsoft signed a power purchase agreement in 2023 with the first delivery of electricity slated for 2028, KUOW reports. Helion Energy is backed by several high-profile investors, including OpenAI’s Sam Altman and SoftBank’s venture capital arm, Reuters reports.
Swiss startup launches solar power project along existing railroad line
A Swiss company has launched a pilot solar power plant by installing panels between active railway tracks in Buttes, Switzerland, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers reports. The company, Sun-Ways, used a modified track maintenance train which enables rapid installation and removal of panels, offering a streamlined alternative to traditional solar installations.
The project, which launched in April, relies on 48 solar panels installed over 100 meters of track. It's expected to produce 16,000 kilowatt-hours per year. The rail-integrated solar technology aligns closely with Washington’s Climate Commitment Act by offering a scalable, low-footprint solution for expanding renewable energy infrastructure with the cap-and-invest framework.
POLICY
Proposed cuts to renewable energy labs would result in major funding loss
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) could lose about a third of its budget under proposed federal cuts, the Washington State Standard reports.
The lab's portfolio includes leading climate and clean energy research. The administration’s proposed 2026 budget would cut nearly $3.5 billion from the U.S. Department of Energy's budget, including a 74% reduction to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado also faces cuts.
PNNL currently employs more than 5,000 people and is the largest employer in the Tri-Cities, the Standard reports. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray predicted that more than 1,000 jobs would be lost if the budget becomes law. She pledged to oppose the proposal. Read more in the Tri-City Herald.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Renewable energy training program expands
The Washington State Department of Ecology is expanding its Renewable Energy Vehicle and Infrastructure Technician training program to prepare K–12 students for careers in clean hydrogen and zero-emission transportation technologies. Developed in partnership with local school districts, colleges, and industry stakeholders, the program offers hands-on learning in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, electric vehicle infrastructure and sustainable vehicle design, with students earning technical, science, and college credits.
The expansion aligns with the upcoming launch of Centralia’s hydrogen facility in fall 2025, which is expected to generate hundreds of local jobs over the next decade, the department reports. Ecology’s Clean Diesel Grant Program supports this workforce development through new vocational grants, ensuring Washington’s clean energy transition is matched by a skilled labor pipeline.
The curriculum was created with Centralia and Chehalis school districts, Centralia College, the Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy, Lewis County Transit and other industry and education partners.
FEEDBACK AND PUBLIC INPUT
Provide input on National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing
The Office of Science and Technology Policy seeks public input to inform the development of the National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing. The plan will create the framework to generate jobs, grow the economy across multiple industrial sectors, strengthen national security and improve healthcare. Responses are due by September 30.
Submit comments electronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Enter Docket ID number NIST-2025-0004 in the search bar.
___________________________________________________________________
Want more news and updates from the Clean Energy Technology Workforce Advisory Committee?
Sign up for the newsletter
Please contact the Workforce Board's Joe Wilcox for more information.
|
