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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.
Scott W. White, Gerald L. Kulcinski
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 34 | Number 3 | November 1998 | Pages 358-363
Fusion Economics and Reactor Studies | doi.org/10.13182/FST98-A11963640
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The amount of electrical energy produced over the lifetime of the ARIES-RS and UWMAK-I DT-fusion power plants is compared to the total amount of energy required to procure the fuel, build, operate, and decommission the power plants. The energy payback ratio varies slightly for the two power plants; 23 for ARIES-RS and 26 for UWMAK-I. By knowing the magnitude of the energy investment and the source of the various energy inputs, a CO2 emission factor is calculated. This number is similar for both fusion power plants with ≈8 tonnes of CO2 per GWeh for UWMAK-I and ≈9 tonnes of CO2 per GWeh for ARIES-RS. These fusion plants are compared to other existing electrical producing power plants.
