I hadn't seen this until just now:
http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/10/update ... rcial.html
Brian Wang gives his projections on the prospects for eight fusion concepts, six of which are being researched by private companies. He places them in the following order, apparently based on time to commercial production, available funding, and cost of electricity:
1. LPP Fusion (2017 net gain, 2022 commercial production)
2. Lockheed Martin (2020, 2024)
3. Helion Energy (2017, 2023)
4. Tri Alpha Energy (2017, 2021)
5. General Fusion (2018, 2024)
6. EMC2 (2020, 2026)
7. UW dynomak (2025, 2040)
8. SNL MagLIF (2030, ????)
I'm not sure exactly how he figures the dates. LPP is aiming to demonstrate feasibility in 2015, although at this point that could easily slip to 2016, or later. If they get the ARPA-E funding, however, it might speed things up—or at least keep them from slipping too much. I'm not sure how he figures 2020 for EMC2 demonstrating net gain, either. Probably just an estimate based on a not-too-optimistic, not-too-pessimistic evaluation of EMC2's ability to get investments. Also, I though Sandia was aiming to demonstrate net gain much earlier than 2030. At this point it looks like 2017 might be the year to look forward to. JET is also planning to demonstrate net gain in the years 2017-2020. Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion.
Temperature, density, confinement time: pick any two.