Major Fusion Projects
This section covers the world’s leading fusion research projects. Understanding these projects provides insight into the global effort to achieve practical fusion energy.
The Path to Fusion Power
Section titled “The Path to Fusion Power”The development of fusion energy requires a step-by-step approach. Each major project contributes to addressing specific challenges:
| Project | Type | Key Objective |
|---|---|---|
| ITER | Tokamak | Demonstrate Q=10 (produce 500 MW from 50 MW input) |
| JT-60SA | Tokamak | Support ITER with advanced plasma research |
| LHD | Heliotron | Explore steady-state stellarator concepts |
| NIF | Inertial Confinement | Achieve ignition using laser compression |
Classification by Approach
Section titled “Classification by Approach”Magnetic Confinement Fusion (MCF)
Section titled “Magnetic Confinement Fusion (MCF)”The mainstream approach uses powerful magnetic fields to confine hot plasma.
Tokamak Type
- ITER - The world’s largest international science project
- JT-60SA - Japan-EU collaborative superconducting tokamak
- EAST (China) - Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak
- KSTAR (South Korea) - Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research
Stellarator/Heliotron Type
- LHD - Japan’s Large Helical Device
- Wendelstein 7-X (Germany) - Advanced optimized stellarator
Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF)
Section titled “Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF)”Uses lasers or particle beams to compress and heat fuel pellets.
- NIF - National Ignition Facility (USA)
- Laser Megajoule (France)
International Collaboration
Section titled “International Collaboration”Fusion research has been characterized by unprecedented international cooperation since the 1950s. The largest example is ITER, which involves:
- European Union (hosting the project in France)
- Japan
- United States
- Russia
- China
- South Korea
- India
This collaboration reflects the scale of investment required and the shared goal of developing clean energy for humanity.
Timeline of Major Milestones
Section titled “Timeline of Major Milestones”- 1958: First international fusion conference (Geneva)
- 1968: T-3 tokamak achieves breakthrough (Soviet Union)
- 1983: JT-60 begins operation (Japan)
- 1998: LHD begins operation (Japan)
- 2006: ITER Agreement signed
- 2007: ITER construction begins
- 2020: ITER starts machine assembly
- 2022: NIF achieves fusion ignition
- 2023: JT-60SA achieves first plasma
- 2035: ITER first plasma (planned)
- 2035-2040: ITER deuterium-tritium operation (planned)
Beyond Research: Demonstration Power Plants
Section titled “Beyond Research: Demonstration Power Plants”Following successful operation of ITER, the next step is demonstration power plants (DEMO) that will actually generate electricity:
- EU-DEMO: European demonstration power plant concept
- JA-DEMO: Japanese demonstration power plant concept
- CFETR: China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor
These projects aim to bridge the gap between scientific demonstration and commercial power generation.