Grainger Institute for Engineering
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Breaking Ground: Building the Fusion Energy Ecosystem

Welcome to the Great Lakes Fusion Energy Summit 2025

Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Location: UW-Madison Engineering Centers Building (ECB) in the Atrium and Tong Auditorium

The Great Lakes Fusion Energy Summit is designed to foster discussions on fusion energy, explore opportunities for collaboration, and build a robust ecosystem for fusion energy in the Great Lakes region. This event brings together leading experts, researchers, industry professionals, and public officials to share insights, showcase innovations, and discuss the future of fusion energy.

We still have a few slots available for the Mixer! Please check in with someone at the registration desk to see if there is a spot for you. Join us after the event for an evening of networking with Greg Van Dyk, the CEO of Altrusion.

Agenda and Event Highlights

8:30-9:00: Registration (ECB Atrium)

9:00-9:25: Welcome and Discussion of Purpose (ECB Atrium)

  • Cary Forest, Wisconsin Plasma Physics Laboratory Director, Physics Professor, Realta Fusion Co-founder
  • Oliver Schmitz, Associate Dean for Research Innovation, Grainger Institute for Engineering Director, Realta Fusion Co-founder
  • Additional Speakers:
  • Logistics for the day:

9:30-10:15: Fusion Displays and Networking (ECB Atrium)

Enjoy conversations about fusion energy with faculty/students/other attendees

10:15-11:45: Attendee and Official Public Tour

Experience the cutting-edge world of fusion energy with an exclusive tour of UW-Madison’s fusion labs and experiments. Meet in the ECB Atrium at 10:15.

11:45-12:45: Buffet Lunch (ECB Atrium)

1:00-1:10: Key Ideas on the Importance of Fusion Energy (Tong Auditorium)

Speaker: Jean Paul Allain, Associate Director for Fusion Energy Sciences, US Department of Energy

1:10-1:25: Great Lakes Fusion Energy Alliance Announcement (Tong Auditorium)

Speaker: John Myer, Five Lakes Institute, Fellow, Husch Blackwell Senior Counsel

Introduction: Kathleen Gallagher, Executive Director, 5 Lakes Institute

1:25-1:55: Chat on the Promise of Fusion Energy in the Great Lakes (Tong Auditorium)

Fusion energy companies are navigating the high stakes environment of a fast-emerging industry. Hear about what these companies do, the advantages of operating in the Great Lakes region, and what we can do to build a globally competitive center of excellence for fusion energy.

Speakers:

  • Kieran Furlong, CEO and Co-Founder, Realta Fusion
  • Chris Hegna, VP, Principal Scientist, Co-Founder, Type One; UW-Madison Professor
  • Todd Kile, Director of R&D – Physics, SHINE Technologies
  • Aaron Washington, Technical Project Manager, Tokamak Energy

Co-moderators: 

  • Russ Johnson, Director, Office of Corporate Relations, UW-Madison
  • John Myer, Five Lakes Institute, Fellow, Husch Blackwell Senior Counsel

1:55-2:25: Chat on Transitioning Fusion Energy to Commercial Adoption

With a growing consensus that the first grid-scale fusion power plants may be operational in the early 2030s, now is the time to consider how to scale what may become a massive industry. Hear about the case for growing fusion energy assets, challenges, and opportunities encountered as it grows.

Speakers:

  • Emmanuel Guilhamon, Global Sustainability VP, Rockwell Automation
  • Oliver Schmitz, Associate Dean for Research Innovation, Grainger Institute for Engineering Director, Realta Fusion Co-founder
  • Dave Vasko, 5 Lakes Senior Fellow and retired Senior Director of Advanced Technology, Rockwell Automation

Moderator: Kathleen Gallagher, Executive Director, 5 Lakes Institute

2:25-2:55: Chat on Fusion Energy Supply Chain Opportunities (Tong Auditorium)

Learn how companies can evaluate market potential, take advantage of current opportunities, and position themselves as critical players in the growing fusion energy supply chain.

Speakers:

Co-Moderators:

  • Steffi Diem, Assistant Professor, UW-Madison; US Science Envoy, US Department of State
  • Aina Vilumsons, President, Executive Director, Wisconsin Procurement Institute

2:55-3:10: Break

3:10-3:40: Design & Build Session (ECB Atrium)

Small group discussions about how to build a robust fusion infrastructure and supply chain in the Great Lakes region.

Facilitators:

Moderators: Corporate executives and/or UW-Madison faculty members will moderate each small group.

3:40-3:55: Design & Build Feedback (ECB Atrium)

Facilitator summarizes roundtable discussions with help from participants

3:55-4:00: Wrap Up

4:30-7:30: Mixer at Findorff

Join us after the event for networking opportunities and to hear from Greg Van Dyk, the CEO of Seattle-based Altrusion. Join us from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Findorff, located at 300 South Bedford Street in Madison.