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Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
Akio Sagara, Yasuji Kozaki, Masahiro Tanaka, Takuya Goto
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 60 | Number 1 | July 2011 | Pages 3-10
Plenary | Proceedings of the Nineteenth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (TOFE) (Part 1) | doi.org/10.13182/FST11-348
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
After reasonably long-term scientific efforts, the time is coming for steady-state burning plasma in the operation of the ITER, and complementary research on other large-scale devices. For fusion energy reactors, however, the realization of steady-state burning plasma is not a goal for fusion technology development. Rather, we finally initiated fusion technology development aimed at establishing a steady-state burning system and steady-state fuel supply. This paper discusses strategies for these two issues, based on history and present knowledge.