For the first time, US scientists have achieved a fusion reaction with net energy gain. But the dream of limitless zero-carbon energy is still a long way from reality. The FT's Simon Mundy meets scientists and investors in the UK, France and US, to see how close we really are to commercial fusion power

Pietro Barabaschi, Director General – ITER

Tim Luce, Head of Scientific Operations – ITER

Malcolm Parry, Senior Associate – Hogan Lovells

Melanie Windridge, Physicist – Fusion Energy Insights

Hannah Willett, Plasma Diagnostician – Tokamak Energy

Phil Larochelle, Partner – Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Bob Mumgaard, CEO – Commonwealth Fusion Systems  

Link to the

FINANCIAL TIMES video

Interviews in this first of three instalments:

Produced filmed and edited by Petros Gioumpasis. Reported by Simon Mundy. Additional footage by ITER, NASA, Tokamak Energy Getty, Reuters, BVE, CFS. Graphics by Rory Griffiths, Ian Bott and Russell Birkett. Postproduction by Coda