Core Insights - The report discusses the progress and technological advancements in the global commercialization of controlled nuclear fusion, highlighting China's significant role in this competitive landscape [1][10]. Group 1: Global Competition and Technological Advances - The primary goal of controlled nuclear fusion is to replicate the fusion reactions occurring in the sun, achieving stable and controllable energy output on Earth. This requires overcoming the "fusion triple product" threshold, which is the product of plasma temperature, density, and confinement time reaching 10²¹ m⁻³・s・keV [2]. - The ITER project, involving 35 countries and costing over €20 billion, is the largest international nuclear fusion collaboration. By 2025, it will complete the installation of its core coil system, capable of generating a magnetic field of 11.8 Tesla to confine plasma at 150 million degrees Celsius. The project aims to conduct deuterium-tritium fusion experiments by 2034, targeting an energy gain factor of Q=10 [2][3]. - U.S. private companies are making significant strides in commercialization. Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) plans to validate Q>1 by 2026 and launch a 200 MW commercial reactor by 2030. Helion Energy has signed the world's first fusion power purchase agreement with Microsoft, promising a 50 MW plant by 2028 and expanding to 250 MW by 2030 [3]. Group 2: China's Breakthroughs and Diverse Approaches - In 2025, China achieved notable breakthroughs in controlled nuclear fusion, with both state-led and private sector initiatives advancing the "deuterium-tritium + hydrogen-boron" dual approach [4][5]. - The EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) successfully maintained 100 million degrees Celsius plasma for 1066 seconds, setting a world record and demonstrating the capability for long-duration plasma confinement, essential for future power generation [4]. - The private sector's "Xuanlong-50U" device achieved significant milestones, including a million-ampere hydrogen-boron plasma discharge and stable operation at 1.2 Tesla for 1.6 seconds, marking a breakthrough in hydrogen-boron fusion technology [5]. Group 3: Diverse Technological Routes and Industry Development - The controlled nuclear fusion field is characterized by multiple technological routes, including magnetic confinement, inertial confinement, and emerging technologies, each with its advantages and challenges [6][7]. - The magnetic confinement route, particularly the tokamak design, remains the most mature, while the field-reversed configuration (FRC) and stellarator designs are also being explored for their potential benefits [6]. - The industry chain for controlled nuclear fusion is developing, with China achieving significant progress in domestic production of superconducting materials and key components for fusion devices, supporting the overall commercialization efforts [8][9]. Group 4: Future Energy Landscape - The global race for controlled nuclear fusion is driven by increasing energy demands and the need for sustainable energy solutions. The International Energy Agency predicts that global electricity demand will double by 2050, while fossil fuels face reduction pressures [10]. - Controlled nuclear fusion offers a solution with zero carbon emissions, sustainable raw materials, and stable 24-hour power supply, positioning it as a potential "ultimate energy" source for the future [10].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges and opportunities in the field of controlled nuclear fusion, emphasizing its potential as a solution to future energy demands driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and the limitations of traditional energy sources [3][4]. Group 1: Understanding Nuclear Reactions - Nuclear fusion involves the combination of light elements like deuterium and tritium to form heavier elements, releasing significant energy in the process [6]. - Achieving controlled nuclear reactions requires high material purity and density, as well as specific conditions to initiate chain reactions [6]. Group 2: The Timeliness of Nuclear Fusion - The urgency for nuclear fusion development is highlighted by the increasing energy demands associated with AI advancements and the limitations of traditional energy sources [8][9]. - The U.S. is shifting focus towards nuclear fusion as a viable energy solution, potentially bypassing renewable energy sources due to their slower implementation [9]. Group 3: Challenges in Achieving Nuclear Fusion - Achieving nuclear fusion is likened to "cooking dumplings in a paper pot," requiring precise control over extreme conditions [13]. - The three core conditions for nuclear fusion are high particle density, extreme temperatures (typically over 100 million degrees Celsius), and sufficient confinement time, collectively referred to as the "triple product" [15]. Group 4: Progress in Nuclear Fusion Industry - Research in nuclear fusion has seen exponential growth since the 1960s, with the triple product doubling approximately every 1.8 years, outpacing other technological advancements [28][29]. - The development of control systems and materials science has significantly contributed to this progress [29][30]. Group 5: Cross-Industry Applications of Nuclear Fusion Technology - Nuclear fusion technology is driving advancements in high-temperature superconductors and non-ferromagnetic materials, which have applications in various industries [33][34]. - The demand for non-ferromagnetic materials is increasing due to the extreme magnetic fields involved in nuclear fusion, necessitating new materials that can withstand these conditions [37]. Group 6: Entrepreneurial and Investment Opportunities - The nuclear fusion industry is still in its early stages, presenting opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors to engage in critical technology development [41]. - Successful entrepreneurs in this field will likely have practical experience in large experimental setups and the ability to attract talent from various disciplines, including AI and materials science [42]. - Potential areas for startups include superconducting magnet design, precision control systems, and specialized materials, with an emphasis on technologies that can also serve other markets [43].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on the controllable nuclear fusion industry, particularly during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, anticipating a significant increase in capital expenditure and related equipment orders [4]. Core Insights - Controllable nuclear fusion is highlighted as a preferred future energy source due to its high energy density, easy-to-obtain raw materials, flexible layout, and environmental safety [1][13]. - The Q value, a critical indicator for the commercialization of nuclear fusion, has been consistently improving, surpassing 1, indicating energy balance [1][16]. - The industry is experiencing rapid international advancements, with a notable increase in financing, exceeding $7.1 billion in 2024, up by $900 million from 2023 [1][31]. Summary by Sections Section 1: Controllable Nuclear Fusion - Nuclear fusion offers significant advantages over other energy sources, including a million-fold increase in energy density compared to current systems [13]. - The Q value is essential for assessing the feasibility of nuclear fusion, with recent advancements showing a positive trend in its growth [16][20]. - Magnetic confinement is expected to become the mainstream approach for controllable nuclear fusion, currently holding a 62% market share [22]. Section 2: Technological Breakthroughs and Accelerated Bidding - The industry is currently in the experimental reactor construction phase, primarily led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Nuclear Group [36]. - Significant breakthroughs in high-temperature superconductors are expected to accelerate the commercialization of nuclear fusion [45]. - The BEST project is advancing rapidly, with expectations to achieve significant milestones by 2027 [51][57]. Section 3: Core Value in the Midstream Equipment - The nuclear fusion industry chain consists of upstream materials, midstream equipment, and downstream nuclear applications, with midstream equipment currently seeing increased capital expenditure [62]. - The magnetic component represents the highest value segment within the nuclear fusion industry chain, accounting for 28% of the total costs in projects like ITER [63][66]. Section 4: Investment Recommendations - Companies such as Hezhong Intelligent are expected to benefit from the capital expenditure associated with the BEST project, with projected revenue growth [69]. - Lianchuang Optoelectronics is positioned as a key player in high-temperature superconductors, with a strong market advantage [76]. - Guoguang Electric is recognized as a core supplier of critical components like the first wall and divertor in nuclear fusion applications [83].