Zap Energy develops integrated nuclear energy systems combining fusion and fission technologies to generate on-demand, carbon-free power. The company operates two facilities near Seattle with over 130 employees and has generated verified fusion plasmas continuously since 2018.
The company's primary platform, FuZE-Q, uses sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch technology for plasma confinement and compression, which the company claims requires significantly less capital than traditional magnetic approaches. Zap Energy is pursuing scientific energy breakeven on this platform whilst simultaneously developing complementary fission capabilities through an integrated strategy.
Backed by investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Chevron, and Shell, Zap Energy operates across plasma physics, reactor engineering, and energy generation technologies. The company's technical approach spans plasma confinement systems, energy generation technologies, and what it describes as intersectional nuclear solutions designed for scalability.