How is fusion technology progressing in 2021?

In summary: So, it's not like the ITER costs are astronomical and we should give up on fusion just because of those costs.In summary, there is no clear evidence that fusion energy is ever going to be a viable option, and the current technology is nowhere near being able to be implemented in a full-scale reactor.
  • #1
#Thomas#
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I am having difficulty finding reliable sources of news and information regarding the status of various methods of attempting to generate energy through fusion, but unfortunately, the information is either outdated, is nothing but rumour and conjecture, or has been... how shall I put it... "coloured" by attention seeking media.

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I want to know how fusion technology is doing this year with it's various means (laser, magnetic chamber, helium-3 etc.), any reliable information you could share regarding its progress?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #2
when it comes to something like internet ... the websites are only to get you to them not often to provide things what you want..
so you must use the internet with caution ..
maybe you like this one
http://www.fusion-journal.com/
 
  • #3
That link you provided has nothing to do with fusion!
 
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  • #5
Ah, yes, same old same old, they said its just a few decades away back in the 70's. The whole thing is a cash hole that could have been better spent for implementation of already proven sustainable technologies.
 
  • #6
All those proven sustainable technologies get much more money than fusion research.
Fusion power plants today might have been possible if funding for fusion went on as expected a few decades ago. If you cut funding, you delay research, that's not magic.
 
  • #7
Fusion technologies budget has remained more or less constant since preliminary studies have began, they even adjusted them for inflation rates... they had all the money they had since the beggining... that is until 2008 and the financial crysis, but that was over 30 years ago. The reduced budged remained since the financial crisis because for all that time, they failed to produce results.

Right now, the most efficient fusion reactor has China, with 27%, but even that could be commercial boasting!
 
  • #8
You can't develop a full-scale reactor with funding sufficient for preliminary studies. I said "as expected", not "constant".

By the way, the ITER costs, even if they go up a bit more, are something like 60 (US-)cents per citizen and year. Compare that to roughly $100 per citizen per year for photovoltaics in Germany (don't have US-numbers there, they are probably lower).
 

FAQ: How is fusion technology progressing in 2021?

1. What is fusion technology?

Fusion technology is a process that replicates the energy-producing reactions of the sun by forcing together light atomic nuclei to form heavier ones.

2. What is the current status of fusion technology?

Currently, fusion technology is still in the experimental stage and has not yet been successfully implemented for practical use. However, there have been significant advancements in fusion research and many believe that it has the potential to be a sustainable source of energy in the future.

3. How does fusion technology differ from nuclear fission?

Fusion technology differs from nuclear fission in that it combines lighter atomic nuclei to produce energy, while nuclear fission splits heavier atomic nuclei to release energy. Fusion reactions require extreme heat and pressure, whereas fission reactions occur at lower temperatures and pressures.

4. What is the main challenge in developing fusion technology?

The main challenge in developing fusion technology is creating and sustaining the extreme conditions necessary for fusion reactions to occur. This requires immense amounts of energy and precise control of temperature and pressure.

5. Is fusion technology safe?

Yes, fusion technology has the potential to be a safe and clean source of energy. Unlike nuclear fission, fusion reactions do not produce long-lived radioactive waste and do not have the risk of a runaway chain reaction. However, there are still safety concerns related to the handling of the materials needed for fusion reactions and the potential for accidents.

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