Fusion Systems for Energy
Fusion Technologies
Tokamak
ITER - Tokamak
ITER, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, is a collaborative project involving 35 countries. It's located in France and aims to demonstrate controlled nuclear fusion's potential for clean energy. Using a tokamak device, ITER seeks to replicate the Sun's conditions to release substantial energy from fusion reactions. Its success could revolutionize global energy sources, offering a sustainable and low-emission solution to meet future energy demands.
W7X - Stellarator
Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) is a cutting-edge stellarator fusion device located in Greifswald, Germany. Developed by the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP), W7-X is designed to explore and advance the potential of nuclear fusion as a clean and sustainable energy source. With its unique twisted magnetic field configuration, W7-X aims to provide insights into plasma confinement and stability, contributing to the global efforts to unlock controlled fusion reactions.
NIF at LLNL - Laser based
The National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is a world-class research facility located in Livermore, California. Its primary focus is on achieving controlled nuclear fusion through high-energy laser-driven experiments. NIF plays a pivotal role in advancing fusion energy and understanding the behavior of matter under extreme conditions, contributing to scientific breakthroughs and potential energy solutions
Fusion Breakthroughs
Long length HTS Materials REBCO
REBCO has never been ready for fusion magnet due to its recent achievements in long length and high current density
"Breakeven" demonstrated in Fusion energy generation
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory achieves fusion ignition
Magnet Technology Breakthrough
No-Insulation HTS coil has innovatively solved HTS magnet quench issue, which allow HTS magnet reach very high field 40 - 50 T, repetitively and successfully.
45.5 T direct current magnetic field generated with high temperature superconductor magnet
Nature 570(7762) -June 2019
Equivalent circuit with turn-to-turn resistivity and radial current
Current in both tangential and radial directions
Fusion Industry Update - Fusion Industry Supply Chain
Fusion energy continues to advance as a promising solution to our energy challenges. Researchers are making significant strides in creating controlled fusion reactions that mimic the Sun's power generation. Initiatives like ITER are inching closer to achieving sustained fusion reactions, holding the potential to unlock a nearly limitless, clean energy source. As concerns about climate change and energy security escalate, fusion's progress offers hope for a sustainable and transformative energy future.
2023 Global Fusion Industry Report
2023 The Fusion Industry Supply Chain
Fusion History
The history of fusion energy is marked by remarkable progress in both tokamak and stellarator designs. In the mid-20th century, scientists proposed the tokamak, a magnetic confinement device. This led to breakthroughs such as controlled fusion release at JET and TFTR. Concurrently, the stellarator concept emerged, offering an alternative approach to confining high-temperature plasma using twisted magnetic fields. Despite initial challenges, advancements in the tokamak design, including the innovative spherical tokamak, showcased promising results.
Stellarator development also gained momentum, with Wendelstein 7-X achieving successful plasma containment. Meanwhile, the international collaboration of ITER is set to demonstrate sustained fusion reactions using a tokamak design. Private ventures like TAE Technologies and their "Norman" stellarator continue to explore new paths.
As fusion research advances, both tokamak and stellarator designs contribute essential insights, pushing us closer to realizing the dream of clean, abundant energy through controlled nuclear fusion.
"The Piece of the Sun" by Daniel Clery
"The Piece of the Sun" by Daniel Clery is a non-fiction book that explores the history, science, and significance of nuclear fusion, particularly its potential to provide a clean and virtually limitless energy source. Clery delves into the history of fusion research, from its early theoretical foundations to modern experimental efforts.
The book delves into the challenges scientists face in achieving controlled fusion, including the extreme conditions required to replicate the Sun's energy production on Earth. Clery discusses the development of fusion devices like tokamaks and stellarators, as well as the international collaboration behind projects like ITER.
Throughout the book, Clery provides insights into the lives and contributions of key scientists and engineers in the field. He also explains the complexities of plasma physics, magnetic confinement, and other scientific concepts related to fusion.