Is Nuclear Fusion an Energy Source of the Future? (In a Nutshell!)
Small reactions can have big effects. The atoms of light elements can fuse together to form new elements, releasing energy in the process. Known as nuclear fusion, this reaction has been investigated as a potential means of producing energy since the 1950s. There is a lot of interest in this technology, since it could provide a future net-zero energy source: the energy released from nuclear fusion reactions can be used to generate electricity without causing greenhouse gas emissions.
This ESYS paper provides a simple explanation of nuclear fusion and a scientifically sound description of the technology’s basic principles. Published by the Academies’ Project “Energy Systems of the Future” (ESYS), the paper addresses questions such as:
- What happens in a nuclear fusion reaction?
- What is the difference between laser and magnetic confinement fusion?
- Which fuels are used?
- What is the history of nuclear fusion?
- How might nuclear fusion be integrated with the future energy supply?
The publication explains that although the physics of nuclear fusion is already well understood, several challenges must still be overcome before the first fusion power plant can start operating. For this and other reasons, numerous experts think that it will not be possible to use nuclear fusion as a source of energy until around the middle of the century at the very earliest.
Wurbs, Sven/ Dehlwes, Sonja/ Lübke, Andrea/ Stephanos, Cyril/ Fischedick, Manfred/ Henning, Hans-Martin/ Löschel, Andreas/Matthies, Ellen/ Pittel, Karen/ Renn, Jürgen/ Sauer, Dirk Uwe/ Spiecker genannt Döhmann, Indra: „Is Nuclear Fusion an Energy Source of the Future? (In a Nutshell!), Series on “Energy Systems of the Future” (ESYS), 2024, DOI: https://doi.org/10.48669/esys_2024-13.
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