𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣? Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) announced last week plans to build a 400MW grid-scale fusion power plant (the world’s first) in Virginia, with first power expected in the early 2030s. Dominion Energy Virginia, which will provide development and technical expertise along with leasing rights for the site.
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣? Two observations: The tight relationship of solar PV PPA prices and levelized cost of energy (LCOE), and that PPA prices have largely flatlined since 2018.
If I had to pick one topic to focus on in 2025, it would be "data center siting". Why? The scale of investment and energy demand, the available transfer capacity and withdrawal capacity at specific sites, the opportunity for multiple technology pathways to meet the challenge (CCUS, gas, geothermal, nuclear, solar, BESS, etc.).
This analysis from our team Enverus Intelligence® Research does a great example illustrating the analytics market participants (investors, developers, energy producers) are performing as they make investments. Have a look:
The recent surge in data center development is driving the need for effective resource management in data center siting. Enverus Intelligence Research has developed a workflow using the Enverus PRISM® Power & Renewables suite to quickly and effectively screen for high-value sites.
💡 Key considerations in site screening include energy availability, site quality and energy costs, using metrics like available withdraw capacity, available acreage and access to transmission and fiber-optic networks.
💡 In a case study of the Cleveland area, Glenwillow and Hummel substations were found to be ideal for 1,000 MW projects due to their large AWC, while the Inland and Hummel substations were best for 600 MW projects.
