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The National Ignition Facility target chamber at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is where scientists shoot lasers and watch and measure what happens when those lasers collide on a fuel source. Temperatures of 100 million degrees and pressures extreme enough to compress a target up to 100 times the density of lead are created in this facility.

Photo by Damien Jemison/ Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

On Tuesday, the head of the Department of Energy and other federal scientific leaders announced that a fusion reaction run at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California achieved net energy, meaning the reaction generated more energy than was put in to initiate the reaction. It is the first time humankind has achieved this landmark.

Fusion is the way that the sun makes power, but recreating a useful fusion reaction here on earth has eluded scientists for decades. Achieving net positive energy paves the way for fusion to move from a lab science to a usable energy source.

Fusion is particularly attractive given the increasing urgency of climate change because it produces no carbon emissions, nor does it produce the long-lasting nuclear waste associated with nuclear fission, which is the type of nuclear energy used today.

The event happened on Dec. 5, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory said on its Twitter account on Tuesday. “On December 5, 2022 a team from DOE’s @Livermore_Lab made history by achieving fusion ignition.” it wrote. “Also known as scientific energy breakeven, the experiment produced more energy from fusion than the laser energy used to drive it.”

“This is important. Earlier results were records, but not yet producing more energy out than was put in,” Andrew Holland, the CEO of the industry’s trade group, the Fusion Industry Association, told CNBC. “For the first time on Earth, scientists have confirmed a fusion energy experiment released more power than it takes to initiate, proving the physical basis for fusion energy. This will lead fusion to be a safe and sustainable energy source in the near future.”

One step toward the ‘holy grail’ of clean energy

Speculation swirled in the days leading up to the press conference because the interest in fusion as a potential viable energy source has increased dramatically in recent years as concerns about climate change and energy security have become more acute.

More than 90 nuclear power reactors currently operate in the United States, but those nuclear reactors are making energy with nuclear fission, which is when a neutron smashes into a larger atom, causing it to split into two smaller atoms and releasing a lot of energy. Nuclear fission reactions do not release any carbon dioxide emissions and there for are considered clean energy, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

The United States got approximately 19 percent of its utility-scale electricity generation from those nuclear power plants in 2021, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and the energy from nuclear fission reactors represents half of the clean power generated in the United States, according to the Department of Energy.

However, those reactors generate long-lasting nuclear radioactive waste when they operate, and most countries, including the United States, currently have that nuclear waste sitting on dry cask barrels on nuclear reactor sites all over the country. Efforts to build a permanent, underground geologic storage for nuclear fission waste have thus far been stymied in the United States.

Fusion happens when two atoms slam together to form a heavier atom, releasing huge amounts of energy without generating carbon dioxide emissions or long-lasting nuclear waste. But it’s proven extremely challenging to sustain a fusion reaction here on earth, and scientists have been chasing trying for decades. In particular, it requires massive amounts of energy to generate fusion on reactions, and until this experiment, nobody had demonstrated the ability to get more energy out of the reaction than it takes to power it.

“Scientists have struggled to show that fusion can release more energy out than is put in since the 1950s,” plasma physicist Arthur Turrell told CNBC.

“During those decades, every time anyone has asked for funding for developing fusion power, the response has always been ‘first, you must show that it works in principle,'” Turrell said. “That is, you must show that a fusion experiment can produce more energy than it uses. The researchers at Lawrence Livermore have done this for the first time ever.”

The success could also spur more private investment in fusion, which is already a hot space –so far, investors have poured almost $5 billion in investment into private fusion energy startups, according to the Fusion Industry Association, and more than half of that has been since since the second quarter of 2021.

“Everyone in the laser fusion (or inertial confinement fusion) community has been focused on getting to more energy out than in on a single experiment, because that is the key to showing the proof of principle and unlocking further investment and interest,” Turrell told CNBC.

Indeed, the private fusion industry is seeing this as a win.

“Now, the privately funded fusion industry will take the next steps, turning experimental results like this into a viable source of clean, safe energy,” Holland told CNBC. “In short, this will show the world that fusion is not science fiction: it will soon be a viable source of energy. Of course there are still many steps between these experimental results and fusion power plants, but this is an important milestone that brings us closer to the day when fusion will provide the world with clean, safe, and abundant energy.”

How nuclear power is changing

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Anker launches new SOLIX F3000 power station with up to $1,850 savings, Bluetti takes up to 50% off units + exclusive savings, more

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June 25, 2025

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Anker launches new SOLIX F3000 power station with up to ,850 savings, Bluetti takes up to 50% off units + exclusive savings, more

Headlining today’s Green Deals is Anker’s new SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station that is launching with up to $1,850 in possible savings across various packages starting from $1,699. Right behind it, there’s Bluetti’s early Prime Day Sale that includes an exclusive bonus 5% savings for our readers, which has models like the Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station dropping to a new $854 low, among others. There’s also Heybike’s 4th of July Sale with up to $600 taken off e-bikes and up to $198 in free accompanying gear starting from $999. Among our tool deals today, you’ll find EGO’s 56V 3,200 PSI Cordless Electric Pressure Washer bundle with two 6.0Ah batteries back at its $699 low, as well as the Greenworks 40V Combo Kit that gives you a 13-inch Cordless String Trimmer/Edger, a 350 CFM Leaf Blower, three spools of replacement line, and a 2.0Ah battery at a new $150 low. Plus, there’s all the rest of the hangover Green Deals in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s early Prime Day Sales from Jackery and Anker SOLIX, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Anker launches new modular SOLIX F3000 3,072Wh LiFePO4 station with up to $1,850 savings starting from $1,699

Anker SOLIX has officially launched its newest backup power solution and taking up to $1,500 off three limited offers through July 2. Things start with the SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station on its own for $1,699 shipped, which is also matching in price at Amazon. Outside of these initial savings, this new unit will carry a $2,599 price tag, which is reduced from the $900 markdown that sets the bar for future discounts. What’s more, the brand is also offering reduced add-on accessory discounts (on the station’s landing page), giving folks the chance to pick up the home backup kit for just $99 (normally $399) and/or the 120V generator input adapter at $49 (normally $99) – adding on an additional $350 savings should you take the opportunity. Head below to learn more about this model and its alternate bundle options.

The next in Anker’s lineup of modular backup power solutions, the new Anker SOLIX F3000 station is ready to tackle your out-of-home adventures alongside at-home emergencies with a starting 3,072Wh LiFePO4 capacity that can expand as high as 24kWh with the addition of the appropriate extra batteries (starting bundle below). It covers your devices and appliances with a max 3,600W power output that can double to 7,200W when two units are connected together, with four AC outputs, one TT-30R AC port, two USB-Cs, two USB-As, a DC port, and a car port.

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One standout feature in regards to the SOLIX F3000 power station’s recharging capabilities is the passthrough charging at up to 3,600W input that it can receive from a generator, making it far easier to deal with unexpected blackouts. There’s also the typical AC charging from a wall outlet, as well as the means to charge from an EV too. Of course, it comes solar-ready too, with dual inputs (165V or 60V) that can achieve up to max 2,400W speeds. There’s also a sleep mode that reduces idle energy, according to Anker, with it reducing idle energy drain when powering low-demand devices like computers, fans, and the like. For example, it “achieves 125 hours of AC idle standby time or runs a 190W fridge for 42 hours.” Head below for more.

Anker’s SOLIX F3000 launch deals (can customize on page):

You can learn more about Anker’s new SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station on the landing page here, and don’t forget about the other savings we’re seeing coming from the brand’s early Prime Day flash sales running through June 26 and 29.

Bluetti power stations

Get up to 50% discounts + bonus exclusive 5% savings on power stations during Bluetti’s early Prime Day Sale starting from $239

Bluetti has launched its early Prime Day Sale through July 7 with up to 50% discounts on power stations, as well as an exclusive extra 5% off sitewide code for our readers, the brand’s lucky wheel, and plenty of units getting free gear. Among the many offers during this event, Bluetti’s Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station is dropping to $854.05 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5TOYS5OFF at checkout for an additional 5% off. This model hit the scene back in November with a $1,699 price tag, which we’ve recently seen falling between $999 and $899 during sales. The deal here gets all the better thanks to the extra savings, giving you a combined $845 markdown that lands it at a new all-time low price.

Travelers and camping enthusiasts will be well supported by Bluetti’s Elite 200 V2 power station, which brings a 2,073.6Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity with it, dishing out steady power up to 2,600W, while also surging as high as 5,200W for hungrier large appliances. It has eight output port options to connect to your devices and appliances, featuring the brand’s Turbo Boost tech that has a built-in MPPT module for faster self-recharging rates. You can regain 80% of the battery in just 50 minutes by using both the AC and DC ports simultaneously, with additional ways to recharge through a wall outlet, your car’s auxiliary port, or by utilizing up to its max 1,000W solar input. Bluetti even designed it to work at “whisper-quiet levels,” which has it operate at 16dB so as not to disturb you if you charge it while sleeping or relaxing.

***Note: None of the prices below have had our exclusive sitewide extra savings factored in, so be sure to use the code 9TO5TOYS5OFF at checkout to score the best prices!

Bluetti’s top early Prime Day Sale backup units:

Bluetti’s early Prime Day Sale deals with free gifts:

  • AC200L (4,198Wh) with B300K expansion battery: $1,999 (Reg. $3,498)
    • comes with free tableware set
  • AC300 (2,764.8Wh) with B300K battery and three 200W panels: $2,099 (Reg. $3,999)
    • comes with free trolley
  • EP500Pro (5,120Wh) Solar Power Station: $2,699 (Reg. $3,999)
    • comes with free 200W solar panel
  • AC500 (5,529.6Wh) with two B300K batteries: $2,799 (Reg. $3,999)
    • comes with free trolley and two PO9D to P150D cables
  • AC200L (7,577.6Wh) with two B300K expansion batteries: $2,999 (Reg. $4,699)
    • comes with two free 200W solar panels
  • AC300 (8,294.4Wh) with three B300K batteries: $3,498 (Reg. $5,598)
    • comes with free trolley
  • AC500 (8,294.4Wh) with three B300K batteries: $3,799 (Reg. $5,599)
    • comes with free 350W solar panel and two P150D to PO9Dcables
  • Two AC500s (5,529.6Wh) with two B300K batteries and P030A cable: $3,899 (Reg. $5,999)
    • comes with free 350W solar panel and two P150D to PO9Dcables
  • AC300 (11,059.2Wh) with four B300K batteries: $4,499 (Reg. $7,697)
    • comes with free trolley
  • And much more…

There’s plenty of more deals to browse during Bluetti’s early Prime Day Sale, which you can find on the landing page here.

Heybike CityRun commuter e-bike

Save $698 on Heybike’s CityRun commuter e-bike with a 55-mile range at $1,099 in 4th of July Sale

Heybike has launched its 4th of July Sale through the upcoming holiday with up to $600 in price cuts and up to $198 in free bundled gear accompanying purchases. Aside from the usual pricing we’re seeing on the popular Mars 2.0 and Ranger S e-bikes, you’ll find a solid commuting option in Heybike’s CityRun Urban Commuter e-bike for $1,099 shipped that also comes with a free front basket and large rear basket. This model normally goes for $1,599 at full price, which we’ve been seeing regularly brought down to $1,099 in recent sales, though we’ve seen it go lower in the past to $999, as well as the $899 low last seen during Black Friday and Christmas sales. You’ll be getting a $500 markdown here along with the $198 bundled gear for $698 in total savings.

The Heybike CityRun e-bike cruises along with a 500W brushless geared hub motor (peaking at 1,000W) paired with a 720Wh battery, giving you up to 55 miles of travel with pedal assistance activated and support up to a top 21 MPH speed. What’s even better is the inclusion of the brand’s higher-power 4A charger that refuels the battery in just four hours’ time. PAS is divided into three different levels and comes supported by a torque sensor.

It’s got some notable upgraded features over other models in the same price range, like the hydraulic disc brakes and hydraulic suspension. You’ll also find it comes stocked with 26-inch by 2.5-inch tires, fenders over each, a 7-speed Shimano derailleur, an auto-on LED headlight, a turn-signaling taillight, a rear cargo rack with a 120-pound payload, and a smart LCD display.

Heybike’s other 4th of July e-bike deals:

EGO Power+ 56V 3,200 PSI Cordless Electric Pressure Washer

Take this EGO 56V 3,200 PSI cordless electric pressure washer with two 6.0Ah batteries anywhere at a $699 low

Amazon is bringing back the low price on the EGO Power+ 56V 3,200 PSI Cordless Electric Pressure Washer that comes with two 6.0Ah batteries for $699 shipped. Typically fetching closer to $799 over the last year or more, the Amazon low we spotted going in and out of stock since March is now available once again. You’ll be getting a $100 markdown while the savings last, giving you a portable and powerful means to complete outdoor cleaning at the best price we have tracked.

It’s not often we see electric pressure washers with 3,000+ PSI power, and even rarer to find ones that are battery-powered, but this cordless EGO model picks up both those titles with a max 3,200 PSI alongside a 1.2 to 2.0 GPM flow rate. There are three cleaning modes to tackle varying jobs around the house (Eco, High, and Turbo), and it comes with two 6.0Ah batteries for up to 60 continuous minutes of runtime, while also being interchangeable with other batteries from the brand.

While those features would normally be quite the standout, another notable design is the dual connection points for water sources – one being for a standard garden hose and the other for the included siphon hose that you simply need a fresh water source to drop into. The package is rounded out with five different nozzles, a 25-foot high-pressure hose, a foam cannon, a filter, and a wand that sports an integrated display to keep an eye on battery levels.

Greenworks 40V 13-inch cordless string trimmer/edger and leaf blower combo kit

Greenworks’ 40V 13-inch cordless trimmer/edger and blower kit + 3 bonus spools at new $150 low

Amazon is offering the Greenworks 40V 13-inch Cordless String Trimmer/Edger and Leaf Blower Combo Kit with three spools of replacement line and a 2.0Ah battery at $150.36 shipped. This packaged bundle would normally fetch $190 at full price, which is the price we’re seeing direct from the brand’s website right now. Discounts over the past year have been regularly been going as low as $152, which is getting beaten out here by the 21% markdown that saves you $40 off the going rate at the lowest price we have tracked.

This budget-friendly combo kit from Greenworks is ready to help you clear your walkways/driveway of overgrown weeds this summer with the combination of the string trimmer/edger and the blower. The 13-inch trimmer quickly converts into an edger to shape up the boundaries of your lawn at the push of a button. It’s ready to tackle jobs from multiple angles thanks to the 90-degree rotating head, while the telescoping shaft allows users of various heights to find comfort while working. There’s also an auto line feed featured that makes replacing broken lines all the faster – not to mention all the replacement line you’re getting with the bonus spools. It’s all rounded out by the 350 CFM leaf blower that has a lightweight and ergonomic design to prevent fatigue during longer jobs.

Best Spring EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Environment

BP shares rise on takeover speculation; Shell denies

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4 hours ago

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June 25, 2025

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BP shares rise on takeover speculation; Shell denies

Shell in early talks to acquire BP in deal valued near $80 billion, reports say

BP shares were whipsawed Wednesday as investors reacted to reports that the oil major might be acquired.

BP shares jumped more than 10% to a session high of $32.94 on a report in The Wall Street Journal that Shell was in early-stage talks to acquire BP. The report, which cited people familiar with the matter, said a deal was far from certain.

Shell, however, subsequently denied talks were talking place. BP shares retreated and were last up about 2%.

“This is further market speculation. No talks are taking place,” a Shell spokesperson told CNBC. “As we have said many times before we are sharply focused on capturing the value in Shell through continuing to focus on performance, discipline and simplification.”

It is unlikely Shell would purchase the entirety of BP, people familiar with the matter told CNBC’s Brian Sullivan. It is more likely that BP would be split and sold in pieces to multiple companies if a deal did transpire, the people said.

BP has underperformed Shell and U.S. rivals as it has struggled to find direction in recent years, fueling speculation that the British oil major is an acquisition target.

BP set ambitious goals five years ago to slash carbon dioxide emissions and invest in renewable energy. But its green pivot came under scrutiny as profits faltered. BP announced a strategic reset earlier this year, doubling down on oil and gas while slashing spending on renewables.

Activist investor Elliott Management disclosed in April that it has built a stake of more than 5% in BP, fueling speculation that the oil major would come under pressure to focus on its core fossil fuel business.

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BYD is selling more EVs than ever, so why is it trimming production in China?

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5 hours ago

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June 25, 2025

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BYD is selling more EVs than ever, so why is it trimming production in China?

BYD-cutting-EV-production

BYD is coming off its best sales month of the year after slashing EV prices in late May. However, it may not be enough, as several sources claim BYD is cutting production in China due to slowing sales.

Why is BYD cutting EV production in China?

With nearly 382,476 new energy vehicles (NEVs) sold globally in May, BYD notched its best sales month of 2025.

Like most carmakers in China, BYD reports monthly NEV sales, which include fully electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

BYD’s sales are up 39% through the first five months of the year, with over 1.76 million NEVs sold worldwide. Not including its commercial vehicles, BYD’s passenger vehicle sales are up 37% through May, with over 1.73 million units sold.

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Its battery-electric vehicles (EVs) are leading the growth, with sales up 40% through the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

According to a few sources, it may still not be enough as BYD vehicles begin to pile up in China. Two people close to the matter told Reuters on Wednesday that BYD has trimmed production at several factories in China. It’s also reportedly delaying plans to add lines to expand output.

BYD-cutting-EV-production
BYD Seagull EV testing with God’s Eye C smart driving system (Source: BYD)

The sources claimed that BYD has cut night shifts and reduced capacity at some plants by at least a third as it faces rising inventory.

Although BYD has yet to confirm, one of the sources reported that at least four BYD plants are now operating at a slower pace.

One source said that the move was aimed at cutting costs and improving efficiency, while the other claimed it was due to BYD failing to meet its sales target.

BYD-cutting-EV-production
(Source: BYD)

If true, the claims could be pretty significant, given BYD’s aggressive price cuts last month. On May 23, BYD slashed prices by up to 34% on 22 of its vehicles.

BYD still expects to sell around 5.5 million vehicles this year, a nearly 30% increase from 2024. Last year, BYD sold over 4.72 million NEVs, up 41% from 2023. However, its annual growth rate has slowed over the past few years.

BYD-EVs-Europe
BYD “Xi’an” car carrier loading Dolphin Surf EVs for Europe (Source: BYD)

According to data from CnEVPost, BYD’s annual sales growth rate has declined from 218% in 2021 to 208% in 2022 and 62% in 2023.

A survey from the China Automotive Dealer Association last month found that BYD dealers held one of the highest inventory levels, with an average of 3.21 months. In comparison, the industry-wide average was 1.38 months.

Electrek’s Take

With an intensifying EV price war and a wave of low-cost domestic cars flooding the market, Chinese automakers, including BYD, are now looking overseas to drive growth.

BYD is coming off its sixth straight month with record overseas sales in May after selling over 89,000 NEVs outside of China.

After it topped Tesla in monthly vehicle registrations in Europe and the UK this year, BYD launched its most affordable EV earlier this month. The Dolphin Surf is the European version of its top-selling Seagull EV, which can be bought for under $8,000 in China right now.

BYD’s Dolphin Surf arrives as one of the most affordable vehicles in the UK, starting at just £18,650 (about $25,000).

During the launch event, BYD’s special advisor for Europe, Alfredo Altavilla, called (via Autocar) the Dolphin Surf “the missing piece in the A/B-segment.”

According to Altavilla, BYD is launching vehicles in Europe at a faster rate than any other carmaker. “I have zero problem in saying I don’t think there has ever been such a product offensive done in Europe as the one BYD is doing,” he said during the event.

BYD’s sales are expected to double in Europe this year to around 186,000 units. By 2029, S&P Global Mobility forecasts BYD’s sales could reach around 400,000 in Europe. Between its new plants in Hungary and Turkey, BYD is expected to have a combined annual production capacity of over 500,000 units.

And Europe is just one global market. BYD is already a leading EV brand in overseas markets like Brazil, Thailand, Australia, and several other key markets.

Even if the sources’ claims that BYD is cutting production in China are true, the world’s leading EV maker is still expected to see significant growth overseas over the next few years.

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