A software tool is now available to help streamline the design and construction of fusion power plants. The open-source Fusion Synthesis Engine (FUSE) was developed by General Atomics to integrate the plasma physics, engineering and cost analysis considerations crucial to the simulation and definition of such advanced power systems.

Written in the Julia programing code, FUSE supports collaborative efforts in an easy-to-use approach that enables researchers to install and deploy the program on their own systems. Simulations are conducted quickly and accurately, and cover fusion plant operation in both steady and dynamic conditions. Self-contained studies and optimizations are performed via workflows, typically involving multiple FUSE simulations.

The framework is designed to accelerate the design process by enabling self-consistent solutions across physics, engineering and control systems, minimizing the need for iterative expert evaluations. FUSE interfaces with Ordered Multidimensional Array Structures (OMAS) and the One Modeling Framework for Integrated Tasks (OMFIT) physics codes and other modeling tools.

The software is accessible to anyone under the Apache 2.0 license, guaranteeing its free usage, modification and commercialization.