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Nuclear fusion: Difference between revisions
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Nuclear fusion is the process by which multiple like-charged atomic nuclei join together to form a heavier nucleus. It is accompanied by the release or absorption of energy. | Nuclear fusion is the process by which multiple like-charged atomic nuclei join together to form a heavier nucleus. It is accompanied by the release or absorption of energy. | ||
See [[:Wikipedia:Nuclear_fusion|Wikipedia: Nuclear fusion]]. | See [[:Wikipedia:Nuclear_fusion|Wikipedia: Nuclear fusion]]. | ||
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There exist a wide consensus that the current methods for energy production are unsatisfactory in the long term, due to contamination, the greenhouse effect, diminishing resources, etc. | There exist a wide consensus that the current methods for energy production are unsatisfactory in the long term, due to contamination, the greenhouse effect, diminishing resources, etc. | ||
In order to decide what energy generation methods should be used, the pros and contras of each method should be considered carefully. | In order to decide what energy generation methods should be used, the pros and contras of each method should be considered carefully. | ||
<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_development Energy development]</ref> | |||
Thus, making a policy choice in favour of one or the other energy option requires defining one's stance on: | Thus, making a policy choice in favour of one or the other energy option requires defining one's stance on: | ||
* The importance of climate change and the impact of the burning of fossil fuels | * The importance of climate change and the impact of the burning of fossil fuels<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intergovernmental_Panel_on_Climate_Change Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]</ref><ref>[http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn11462 Climate change: A guide for the perplexed]</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T4UF_Rmlio The American denial of Global Warming]</ref> | ||
* Quantitative estimates of the energy generation potential of each of the available energy options | * Quantitative estimates of the energy generation potential of each of the available energy options | ||
* Estimates of global population growth | * Estimates of global population growth<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_growth Population growth]</ref><ref>[http://www.populationconnection.org/ PopulationConnection.org]</ref> and expectations regarding future energy demand<ref>[http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/ World Energy Outlook]</ref><ref>[http://www.eia.doe.gov/ U.S. Energy Information Administration]</ref>, taking into account the rapidly rising energy needs of emerging economies | ||
* The relative importance of the environmental impact of each of the energy options | * The relative importance of the environmental impact of each of the energy options | ||
* Social threats associated with each energy option: e.g., nuclear proliferation, or the threats associated with politically unstable energy supply regions | * Social threats associated with each energy option: e.g., nuclear proliferation, or the threats associated with politically unstable energy supply regions | ||
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Therefore, the search for a base load power source for the future is still an unresolved issue. | Therefore, the search for a base load power source for the future is still an unresolved issue. | ||
The discovery of a method to store energy on a large scale would completely change the picture, and enhance the viability of solar and wind energy; but currently, no such method is available. | The discovery of a method to store energy on a large scale would completely change the picture, and enhance the viability of solar and wind energy; but currently, no such method is available.<ref>[[:Wikipedia:Grid_energy_storage]]</ref> | ||
== Fusion as an energy option == | == Fusion as an energy option == | ||
Fusion undoubtedly offers some important advantages. Once operative, energy supply would be virtually limitless; greenhouse gas exhaust would be zero; nuclear waste and the danger of nuclear accidents would be strongly reduced (with respect to fission power plants), and nuclear proliferation problems would be small or | Fusion undoubtedly offers some important advantages. | ||
<ref>F.F. Chen, ''An Indispensable Truth: How Fusion Power Can Save the Planet'', {{ISBN|1441978194}}</ref> | |||
Once operative, energy supply would be virtually limitless; greenhouse gas exhaust would be zero; nuclear waste and the danger of nuclear accidents would be strongly reduced (with respect to fission power plants), and nuclear proliferation problems would be small or non-existent. On the other hand, there are complications due to the very complex technology required and the radioactive activation of the reactor vessel components. | |||
A significant part of the latter complications are due to the projected use of D-T fuels (deuterium-tritium) in the first-generation fusion power plants, which is the fuel that is easiest to ignite, but which leads to intense neutron radiation. One may speculate that, if successful, a second generation of fusion power plants can be developed that runs on other fuel mixtures (such as D-D), leading to a reduction of the problems associated with radioactivity. | A significant part of the latter complications are due to the projected use of D-T fuels (deuterium-tritium) in the first-generation fusion power plants, which is the fuel that is easiest to ignite, but which leads to intense neutron radiation. One may speculate that, if successful, a second generation of fusion power plants can be developed that runs on other fuel mixtures (such as D-D), leading to a reduction of the problems associated with radioactivity. | ||
Differing from some other energy options, the implementation of energy generation by fusion is not immediate, and subject to the solution of a number of technical problems. The current consensus | Differing from some other energy options, the implementation of energy generation by fusion is not immediate, and subject to the solution of a number of technical problems. The current consensus is that while the technical challenges are formidable, they can be overcome. Thus, the main discussion regarding fusion as an energy option is not about its technical feasibility, but about the timescales for implementation. | ||
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2005.08.015 C. LLewellyn Smith, Fusion Engineering and Design '''74''', Issues 1-4 (2005) 3-8]</ref> | |||
While increased investment and improved focus of the current research efforts can certainly help to speed up progress, even under optimal conditions the time needed to achieve the first delivery of fusion-produced energy to the electricity grid is considerable, and it is unlikely that fusion can contribute to solving the short-term energy crisis (in the coming decades). Fusion must therefore be considered an energy option for the medium to long term. | While increased investment and improved focus of the current research efforts can certainly help to speed up progress, even under optimal conditions the time needed to achieve the first delivery of fusion-produced energy to the electricity grid is considerable, and it is unlikely that fusion can contribute to solving the short-term energy crisis (in the coming decades). Fusion must therefore be considered an energy option for the medium to long term. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[:Wikipedia:Timeline of nuclear fusion|Timeline of nuclear fusion]] | * [[:Wikipedia:Timeline of nuclear fusion|Timeline of nuclear fusion]] | ||
* [[:Wikipedia:Fusion power|Fusion power reactor]] | |||
* The [[ITER]] project | * The [[ITER]] project | ||
* [[Stellarator reactor]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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