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Page added on January 18, 2013
Fusion Electricity to Become Part of European Grid by 2050
A road map that indicates how the energy of the stars , or fusion energy, can be added to the European grid by year 2050, was released by the European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA).
Detailed review of the current status of fusion research, identification of open issues and development of new programmes and research will be the most important factors leading to accomplishment of the goal.
Fusion energy has been long studied due to the fact that it is unlimited, safe and does not produce greenhouse gas emissions or radioactive waste. Current initiatives to produce fusion energy, however, have not been successful mainly because the amount of input energy has always been higher than the output.
In this respect, a new international experiment, ITER, is about to start operating in year 2020. It is funded by Europe and six other nations and it is expected to be the first project that will produce net surplus of fusion power.
Considering that China is already launching a programme that will supply fusion electricity by 2050, Europe will have to catch up by pursuing a pragmatic approach. According to Dr Francesco Romanelli, EFDA Leader, the road map indicates how this will happen at a reasonable cost.
The road map has identified three important periods and deadlines. These include the European Research Framework Programme, Horizon 2020, the years 2021-2030 and the time between 2031 and 2050. ITER is expected to achieve the milestones and therefore it is believed to be the key to Europe’s success.
In the first period up to year 2020, the resources for Horizon 2020 will be dedicated to ITER. As part of the second period, ITER will be used to its full potential and a construction of a demonstration power plant (DEMO) , which will supply fusion energy to the grid, will be prepared for. The construction of DEMO is the focus during the third period until 2050.
The construction of ITER is already generating a turnover of nearly 6 billion euros. However, it is important that the industry takes responsibility for DEMO after its successful operational start.
16 Comments on "Fusion Electricity to Become Part of European Grid by 2050"
Feemer on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 1:08 pm
i’m pessimistic about humanity getting fusion by 2050, it hasn’t happened yet, and is unlikely to happen because its so hard to concentrate hydrogen and fuse it,
TIRBS on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 2:57 pm
The science is there, the engineering is catching up and we’re closer now then we’ve ever been before. Whether or not we’re always halving the distance remains to be seen…
Captain America on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 3:48 pm
Dear Feemer: I agree it hasn’t happened yet and all my attempt to fuse molecules of Hydrogen in my kitchen have so far failed. While I haven’t given up on using my blender as a containment vessel I do believe I will switch my source of hydrogen from liquid to frozen. So it will be:
Ice cubes
3 ounces tequila
2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
1 ounce Simple Syrup, recipe follows
1/2 to 1 teaspoon orange liqueur
1 tablespoon Lime-salt-sugar
R on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 3:52 pm
All my attempts to fuse molecules of Hydrogen in my kitchen have so far failed. While I haven’t given up on using my blender as a containment vessel I do believe I will switch my source of hydrogen from liquid to frozen. So it will be:
Ice cubes
3 ounces tequila
2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
1 ounce Simple Syrup, recipe follows
1/2 to 1 teaspoon orange liqueur
1 tablespoon Lime-salt-sugar
GregT on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 4:28 pm
Hmmm, by 2050 they say.
I wonder what they will build the infrastructure with, without oil?
Rick on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 4:55 pm
I’ll be surprised if this happens.
This will not be a good thing either.
Arthur on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 5:20 pm
Translation: they are still nowhere, meaning on exacty the same spot where they were 40 years ago, when they promised to have fusion operational in 40 years.
Anthony McCarthy on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 5:32 pm
Germany now has 32 GW of fusion power on the grid when the power from the nearest working fusion reactor is available!
r on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 5:50 pm
Anothony can you please post a link to the German comment? Where is this reactor?
Arthur on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 7:22 pm
r, Anthony was talking about this reactor:
http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/706436main_20121114-304-193Blend_M6-orig_full.jpg
He fooled you, Germany has 32 GW solar power installed. 😉
LT on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 7:57 pm
Fusion is fiction, poor fiction, not science!
It obviously violates the second law of thermodynamics which states that perpetual machine is impossible, or equivalently, output is more than input!
It is better to use those funds for building public transport systems, retraining youths in other skills etc…
jodell8964 on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 8:09 pm
I would like to get on this project!!! They have a budget of 8 billion…Imagine a secure paycheck until 2050 for what…building a Gonculator!!!!
Beery on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 11:39 pm
“Fusion Electricity to Become Part of European Grid by 2050”
Also, every family will have a flying car, the economy will never falter, oil will be abiotic and its emissions will magically cure global warming, government will become responsible, poverty will become a thing of the past and there will be a colony on Mars.
Newfie on Sat, 19th Jan 2013 1:13 am
Fusion power is 30 years away. And it always will be….
BillT on Sat, 19th Jan 2013 1:40 am
Maybe the Japanese will find a way to hook Godzilla up to their electrical grid? That has as much chance as fusion energy ever being possible in quantity.
Bill on Sat, 19th Jan 2013 1:42 am
Article from the EFDA viewpoint.
Yes, I would state this if it meant perpetually employment