Nuclear Futures

POST Created 26th February 2024

REASON prompted by SolarComment member Brenda pointing me to Department for Energy Security & Net Zero. (2023). Towards Fusion Energy 2023.

WORK IN PROGRESS

AI Summary:

• Fusion is the process that occurs at the center of stars, generating light and heat.

• UK government investing in Fusion Futures Programme, cutting-edge research, and facilities.

• MAST-U facility explores fusion power production at reduced scale and cost.

• H3AT center focuses on tritium research crucial for commercial fusion energy.

• UK aims to invest in building a fuel cycle testing facility.

• Fusion Skills Council estimates need for 3000-7000 more workers in the fusion sector.

• Agile Nations network discussing regulatory framework for fusion energy facilities.

• UK leading in providing technical information for safety codes and standards for fusion energy.

• UK government plans to introduce a National Policy Statement for Fusion Energy.

• UK strategy aims to lead in fusion energy development, expand collaborations, and achieve commercialization.

Recent :

• In 2021, JET set new records for power generation, producing 59 MJ of energy over 5 seconds.

• In 2022, the highest plasma 'triple product' of any private fusion company was achieved, a key measure of plasma temperature, density, and confinement time.

• The USA, Germany, and Japan announced their intentions and priorities for fusion.

• Over $6 billion has been invested globally in the private fusion industry.

• The H3AT center was opened at Culham to research tritium processing.

• World record results were achieved from JET (Joint European Torus).

• Demonstration of ignition was achieved from the US National Ignition Facility.

• A site has been selected for STEP in West Burton, Nottinghamshire, for constructing fusion energy facilities.