Fusion energy is coming.
We’re making sure Wisconsin is ready.
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Energizing Wisconsin’s Future
Fusion energy promises virtually limitless, clean power, but the path from lab to grid is complex. It demands careful analysis of environmental impacts, rigorous safety standards, and communities that understand and trust what’s coming.
Fusion Impacts Collaborative builds on the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s rich history of research in fusion energy and plasma science, bringing together the best cross-disciplinary minds to tackle these challenges and support a thriving fusion energy ecosystem in Wisconsin.
Fusion Impact Collaborative by the numbers
3
Integrated research areas
60+ years
of fusion energy research
20+
Cross-disciplinary researchers
Our Mission
We are engineers, researchers, and educators advancing the responsible development of fusion energy by studying its broader impacts, supporting the emerging fusion energy industry, and preparing Wisconsin for a fusion-powered future.
What We Do
Advance the science of fusion’s broader impacts
We conduct original research across science, engineering, social science, and public policy to build the evidence base needed to responsibly deploy fusion energy at scale.
Assess the full lifecycle of fusion energy
Fusion’s fuel cycle extends far beyond the reactor—from resource extraction to decommissioning. We investigate the direct and indirect impacts of fusion systems across energy, environment, and society, and evaluate their scalability as the industry matures.
Build trust through public engagement
We work with communities, policymakers, and stakeholders across Wisconsin to ensure fusion commercialization happens openly and responsibly. Trust and transparency aren’t afterthoughts—they’re built in from the start.
Develop risk-informed safety frameworks
The fusion industry is moving fast, with diverse new technology designs entering development simultaneously. We are updating prior safety studies and creating risk-informed licensing frameworks to keep pace with this rapidly emerging field.
Many voices. One mission.
The challenges of fusion energy are too big for any one discipline. Whether you’re a researcher looking to collaborate, a policymaker seeking evidence-based guidance, or a community member curious about what fusion means for Wisconsin’s energy future, we’d love to hear from you.
Fusion Impacts Collaborative
A cross-disciplinary research initiative at the University of Wisconsin–Madison focused on the responsible development and deployment of fusion energy.