SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Feb. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Renewal Fuels, Inc. (OTC: RNWF) (“RNWF” “American Fusion” or the “Company”), announced today the appointment of Dr. John E. Brandenburg, Ph.D., as Chief Technology Officer of Kepler Fusion Technologies, effective immediately. Dr. Brandenburg is a senior plasma physicist with more than four decades of experience in fusion energy, advanced propulsion, and applied plasma physics. He brings deep technical expertise to the Company’s mission of commercializing t ...

Core Viewpoint - Renewal Fuels, Inc. has appointed Dr. John E. Brandenburg as Chief Technology Officer of Kepler Fusion Technologies, aiming to advance the commercialization of the Texatron™ aneutronic fusion platform [1][12]. Company Overview - Renewal Fuels, Inc. operates under the brand American Fusion following its merger with Kepler Fusion Technologies, focusing on developing and commercializing fusion energy technologies [14][15]. - The company is committed to building a scalable, infrastructure-grade fusion energy platform supported by proprietary technology and disciplined intellectual property development [14]. Appointment of Dr. John E. Brandenburg - Dr. Brandenburg is a senior plasma physicist with over 40 years of experience in fusion energy and applied plasma physics, bringing significant technical expertise to the company [2][12]. - His previous roles include senior scientific positions at prestigious institutions such as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, contributing to national defense and energy initiatives [3][5]. Dr. Brandenburg's Contributions and Expertise - He has directed significant research projects, including the CMTX compact fusion propulsion experiment and has been involved in various advanced propulsion and plasma physics initiatives [6][9]. - Dr. Brandenburg holds multiple U.S. patents related to plasma reactors and propulsion systems, showcasing his innovative contributions to the field [10][11]. Strategic Goals and Responsibilities - As CTO, Dr. Brandenburg will oversee technology strategy, reactor physics, experimental validation, and the long-term commercialization readiness of the Texatron™ platform [13]. - His appointment is viewed as a major step forward for the company, enhancing its capability to develop a commercially viable fusion energy solution [12][13].

Group 1: Company Developments - Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) expects to have its Sparc reactor operational by late 2026 or early 2027 and plans to begin construction on its commercial power plant, Arc, which will produce 400 megawatts of electricity near Richmond, Virginia, with Google agreeing to purchase half of its output [1][3] - CFS has raised approximately $3 billion in total funding, with its latest round adding $863 million, representing about a third of all private capital invested in fusion companies to date [4][8] - TAE Technologies announced a merger with Trump Media & Technology Group, valuing the combined company at $6 billion, and TAE has raised a total of $1.79 billion prior to the merger [10][11] Group 2: Industry Trends - The fusion industry is experiencing a bullish wave driven by advances in powerful computer chips, sophisticated AI, and high-temperature superconducting magnets, which have improved reactor designs and control schemes [6] - Fusion power is transitioning from a long-term promise to a more tangible technology, attracting significant investment interest, with notable backers including Bill Gates and Breakthrough Energy Ventures [8] - The potential for fusion to generate nearly limitless energy could disrupt trillion-dollar markets if commercially viable power plants are completed [7] Group 3: Technological Innovations - CFS's Sparc reactor utilizes a tokamak design with high-temperature superconducting tape to generate a powerful magnetic field for plasma containment, developed in collaboration with MIT [2] - Helion plans to produce electricity from its reactor by 2028, with Microsoft as its first customer, and has raised $1.03 billion to date [13][15] - Zap Energy employs an electric current to compress plasma, generating its own magnetic field for ignition, and has raised $327 million from various investors [28][29]

Group 1 - Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. (NASDAQ:DJT) experienced a decline of 10.44% on Monday, closing at $14.41, as investors took profits following a previous surge related to its merger announcement [1][5]. - The company has officially signed a definitive merger agreement with TAE Technologies, which is expected to create one of the world's first publicly traded fusion companies [2]. - As part of the merger agreement, Trump Media will provide TAE Technologies with $200 million in cash at signing and an additional $100 million upon the initial filing of Form S4 with the SEC [3]. Group 2 - Following the merger, the combined entity plans to begin construction of the world's first utility-scale fusion power plant next year, which will have a capacity of 50 MWe [3]. - The expansion of fusion power plants is anticipated, with future capacities ranging from 350 to 500 MWe [4]. - Upon completion of the merger, shareholders of both companies will hold an equal 50% stake in the new firm [5].

Core Insights - Renewal Fuels, Inc. (RNWF) emphasizes the importance of deployable fusion infrastructure and a recurring revenue model following its merger with Kepler Fusion Technologies, highlighting a clear path to near-term commercialization in the fusion energy sector [3][15][18] Commercial Fusion Strategy - The merger with Kepler supports a rebranding to American Fusion and aims for a national exchange listing in 2026 [6][15][18] - RNWF distinguishes between experimental fusion research and commercially engineered fusion systems, focusing on the Texatron™ platform designed for near-term deployment [4][6] Technology and Revenue Model - Kepler's Texatron™ platform is engineered for distributed deployment, targeting industrial facilities and data centers, and aims to provide continuous baseload electricity [8][9] - The Power-as-a-Service (PaaS) model allows Kepler to retain ownership of Texatron™ units and sell electricity under long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), with pricing targets starting at approximately $0.0625 per kilowatt-hour [9][10] Intellectual Property and Market Position - Kepler holds over 238 patents related to its fusion technology, enhancing its competitive position in the market [14] - The ongoing valuation of Kepler's intellectual property is expected to exceed $300 million, which will be reflected in RNWF's fiscal year-end 2025 filings [16] Industry Context - The increasing capital committed to fusion energy validates its long-term strategic importance, with a clear differentiation between companies based on their readiness for deployment and business model discipline [4][11]

Core Viewpoint - The merger between Renewal Fuels, Inc. and Kepler Fusion Technologies highlights the growing interest and investment in the fusion energy sector, emphasizing the need for differentiation between experimental and commercially viable fusion technologies [1][2]. Commercial Energy Infrastructure Versus Experimental Fusion Platforms - TAE Technologies' Norm device is an experimental platform aimed at future reactor development, with its first utility-scale power plant expected to begin construction in 2026, targeting approximately 50 MWe [3]. - Kepler's Texatron™ platform is designed as a deployable commercial energy infrastructure asset, intended for distributed deployment in various industrial settings, providing continuous baseload electricity without reliance on centralized plants [4]. Distinct Commercialization and Revenue Model - Kepler's strategy focuses on a Power-as-a-Service (PaaS) model, retaining ownership of Texatron™ units and selling electricity through long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) [5]. - The pricing for Texatron™ is set to start at approximately $0.0625 per kilowatt-hour, positioning it as a competitive baseload energy source and aiming to generate recurring cash flows through fleet expansion [6]. Technology and Fuel Pathway Differences - TAE Technologies utilizes Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) technology with a proton-boron fuel pathway, focusing on experimental performance optimization [8]. - Kepler's Texatron™ employs a torsatron-based magnetic confinement architecture with a Deuterium-Helium-3 fuel orientation, designed for direct electricity generation and eliminating the need for extensive infrastructure [9]. American Fusion: Public Markets Strategy - The merger on December 17, 2025, resulted in Kepler becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of RNWF, which plans to rebrand as American Fusion to reflect its focus on advanced fusion energy infrastructure [12]. - Kepler is undergoing a third-party valuation of its intellectual property and operating assets, with expectations that the valuation will exceed $300 million, to be reflected in RNWF's fiscal year-end 2025 filings [13]. - Following the merger, American Fusion aims to pursue a national exchange listing on either NASDAQ or the Texas Stock Exchange in 2026, contingent on meeting listing requirements [14].

Core Insights - The fusion industry has seen unprecedented growth in 2023, driven by record private funding and political support, particularly through the new Department of Energy Office of Fusion [1] - The TMTG-TAE merger represents a significant shift in the fusion landscape, creating the first large-cap, pure-play fusion stock on a major U.S. exchange, which could enhance U.S. leadership in fusion energy [3][4] - The merger is viewed as a bold experiment to crowd-fund the next generation of baseload energy, with potential implications for global energy markets and the demand for energy to power AI [2] Funding Landscape - U.S. fusion companies have historically relied on private capital, with 91.9% of funding coming from this source, contrasting sharply with China's state-directed funding model [1] - The TMTG-TAE deal allows for direct public investment in fusion, providing a new avenue for capital that venture capital cannot match, potentially accelerating the commercialization of fusion technology [1][4] Market Dynamics - The TMTG-TAE merger signifies the end of "stealth mode" for fusion, pushing it into the public eye and capital markets, which will now track its progress through SEC filings and project finance structures [4] - Competitors in the fusion space, such as Helion and Commonwealth Fusion Systems, may feel pressured to pursue public listings to avoid missing out on the wave of public funding [4] Regulatory and Technical Challenges - The ambitious timeline for TMTG-TAE to begin construction of a utility-scale fusion plant by 2026 is contingent on overcoming various technical and regulatory hurdles [6] - The power sector must adapt to the new dynamics of fusion funding, prioritizing commercial projects for high-demand sites and requiring regulatory support for new grid connections and contract approaches [7] Public Perception and Investment Psychology - The merger reframes fusion as a critical component for meeting the energy demands of AI and data centers, positioning it as a reliable energy source free from geopolitical constraints [8] - The association with a high-profile public company like TMTG is expected to attract a diverse range of investors, from AI hyperscalers to clean energy advocates, thereby mainstreaming fusion in energy discussions [8]

Core Insights - President Donald Trump's net worth increased significantly by $504 million in one day due to a surge in shares of Trump Media & Technology following a $6 billion merger announcement with TAE Technologies [1][2] - Trump Media's stock closed 41.93% higher at $14.86, although it has seen a year-to-date decline of 56.32% [3] Company Overview - Trump Media & Technology will become the holding company for TAE Technologies and its subsidiaries, which include Truth Social, the Truth+ streaming service, and the planned financial services platform Truth.Fi [3] - The merger positions the combined entity as a potential leader in the fusion energy sector, leveraging TAE's expertise and technological advancements [4] Market Context - The deal is expected to benefit from strong U.S. political support, which could accelerate domestic fusion development [4] - Trump's net worth had previously experienced a decline of over $1 billion last month, but has risen by $3 billion over the past year, largely due to the family's crypto investments [5]

Core Viewpoint - Trump Media & Technology Group is merging with TAE Technologies, a fusion energy company, in a $6 billion deal aimed at developing the world's first utility-scale fusion power plant by next year [1][3]. Company Overview - Trump Media, which owns the social media platform Truth Social, is diversifying its business interests beyond social media, which has struggled to compete with larger platforms [2][5]. - The merger will result in a new company where shareholders from both firms will own approximately 50% each, with a nine-member board including Donald Trump [3]. Financial Aspects - Trump Media has committed to providing TAE with $300 million in cash to support the development of fusion energy technology [4]. - The company reported a loss of $54.8 million in the three months ending September 30, which is more than double the losses from the same period in 2024 [6]. Industry Context - The merger aligns with increasing demand for new energy sources, particularly in light of the AI revolution, which has heightened pressure on the energy grid [4][10]. - TAE Technologies is among a few companies working on fusion energy, which differs from traditional nuclear energy by creating energy through the fusion of atoms rather than fission [8][9]. Regulatory Environment - The Trump administration has been supportive of nuclear energy technology, with initiatives aimed at deregulating the industry and accelerating development [11]. - TAE plans to begin construction on a fusion power plant that aims to be operational by 2031, with expectations of receiving political support from the Trump administration [12][13].

Fusion could produce almost-limitless amounts of carbon-free energy if it can be harnessed on earth; President Trump’s media company is betting a breakthrough is imminent https://t.co/tZ6wNZwRJ5 ...