Israeli Startup nT-Tao Partners with US Firm for Fusion-Powered Data Centers

Israeli startup nT-Tao has signed a memorandum of understanding with American company Orion Nuclear Energy to deploy compact 20-megawatt fusion reactors for powering data centers. The partnership aims to establish small-scale, localized energy generation systems directly at the sites of major consumers in the United States, including data centers and industrial facilities, addressing the significant electricity shortages faced by server farms.

nT-Tao's technology involves a compact fusion source capable of delivering up to 20 megawatts of continuous power, designed to fit within standard shipping containers with a plasma chamber approximately 3.5 meters in diameter. Under the agreement, Orion Nuclear will handle site selection, licensing, and regulatory affairs in the U.S., while nT-Tao will provide its fusion technology.

The company recently achieved a milestone by successfully testing a 50-megawatt plasma heating system. However, the technology is still in the prototype phase, with nT-Tao planning a full pilot project by the early 2030s and commercial deployment by the mid-2030s.

To date, nT-Tao has secured over $28 million in funding from investors including Delek US, Honda, and OurCrowd, and has received grants from the Israel Innovation Authority. The company is also exploring other applications for its fusion technology, having signed an agreement with Israel's national water company, Mekorot.