GoKawiilCFS, Helion Executives to Discuss Fusion Grid Plans at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Helion, two companies racing to commercialize fusion energy, will have their leaders speak at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. CFS co-founder Brandon Sorbom and Helion CEO David Kirtley will discuss progress on their respective projects: CFS's SPARC demonstration machine leading to its ARC power plant, and Helion's Orion plant, which aims to deliver 50 megawatts of electricity to Microsoft starting in 2028. CFS has also applied to join the PJM Interconnection wholesale electricity market and raised $1 billion in July, bringing its total funding to $4 billion.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The panel signals that fusion energy is shifting from a purely scientific pursuit toward commercial deployment, with real timelines and grid-connection efforts now underway. CFS's application to PJM Interconnection suggests the company sees regulatory and market integration as a near-term priority, not a distant one. Helion's contract with Microsoft could serve as an early test case for whether fusion can meet corporate energy demand on a fixed schedule.
- CFS and Helion leaders will speak at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 about grid-scale fusion power.
- CFS has raised $4 billion total and applied to the PJM electricity market as steps toward commercializing its ARC plant.
- Helion's Orion plant is targeted to supply 50 megawatts of power to Microsoft starting in 2028.
Source: techcrunch.com — Techcrunch Events, 2026-09-28
Published there as: “Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ Brandon Sorbom and Helion’s David Kirtley on bringing fusion to the grid at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026”
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