Progress in Fusion
With recent breakthroughs in fusion technology, and new capital accelerating the pace of development, fusion energy is advancing quickly. Governments and companies around the globe have realized the potential of fusion energy and are investing in the future of limitless, clean energy.
Fusion energy is a national priority for the European Union, China, South Korea, and Japan – all have specific goals, timescales, and funding to implement successful fusion energy programs. In addition to independent national projects, 35 countries representing more than half of the world’s population are collaborating on the ITER tokamak project under construction in the south of France.
At the same time, there has been significant growth in privately-backed fusion companies, with leading investors taking positions to capitalize on the sector’s potential.
Advances in plasma physics, computing, modern electronics and materials science have progressed the technology to the edge of being a viable source of power, and put fusion energy in a position to disrupt the multi-trillion dollar energy industry.
PI2 large plasma injector at General Fusion
Recent Milestones In Fusion Energy
Across the world a new generation of machines are being built that will push the envelope of fusion science and lead to breakeven – the point where energy input is matched by the energy output by the fusion reaction – and beyond.
Since the first machines were constructed in the 1950s, exponential improvements in energy output have been achieved and fusion is now approaching the realm of viable power plants.
In 1997, the Joint European Torus (JET) at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in the UK achieved a fusion power record, 65% of the way to breakeven. Progress in laser fusion has also advanced, with the National Ignition Facility reporting higher energy yields from recent experiments. In Germany the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator, an alternative type of magnetic confinement device, began operation in February 2016 and is exceeding performance expectations. Meanwhile, construction is progressing on the ITER tokamak in Cadarache, France, and first plasma is anticipated for 2025. Fusion is progressing and is on the cusp of a revolution.
While large scale experiments such as these continue, the technological improvements that have enabled these advances have attracted new players in fusion energy. Private companies such as General Fusion see the urgent need for clean, on-demand energy sources to combat climate change, and are leveraging the agility and efficiency of private industry to bring fusion power to the grid decades sooner.