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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.
K. Tokimatsu, Y. Asaoka, K. Okano, S. Konishi
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 41 | Number 3 | May 2002 | Pages 831-834
Design and Model | Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Tritium Science and Technology Tsukuba, Japan November 12-16, 2001 | doi.org/10.13182/FST02-A22701
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Supply of tritium for initial loading was concerned to be a limit for fusion power plant to increase its number in the future. In order to consider the implication of the possible tritium self-production, the potential of fusion energy in the future electricity supply market was estimated. Future energy market is analyzed with world energy and environment model that describes composition of supply-side energy system structures under economical and environmental constraint to meet the world energy demand. In the model, composition of supply-side energy system structures is determined to limit the CO2 concentration of 550ppm in 2100 with minimal energy system cost. The result revealed that after introduction to the market, share of the fusion energy is strongly restricted by the initial tritium supply. Capability to produce initial loading of tritium removes this limitation, and future fusion share could be doubled.