Russian scientist calls for fusion research program by year’s end

A leading Russian nuclear scientist said the country must adopt a federal targeted program on the research and potential use of fusion power as an alternative energy source by the end of 2007.

A government meeting adopted Thursday the main provisions of a draft strategy for developing a fusion power industry up to 2015 and beyond, and instructed the Federal Agency for Nuclear Power to prepare a revised version of the document by October 1.
The strategy stipulates the allocation of 515 billion rubles (about $20 billion) for the development of a fusion power industry, including construction of commercial thermonuclear reactors, until 2050.

“If we fail to adopt this [fusion research] program now, we will soon lose the existing scientific potential and professional cadre [to implement the strategy],” academician Yevgeny Velikhov told journalists late on Wednesday, on the eve of the government meeting.

He said the 2009-2015 program would become the first stage of the fusion power strategy and include the modernization of technological potential created during Soviet times, as well as training of scientific personnel.

The cost of the program is estimated at 30 billion rubles ($1.17 billion), but it could rise along with the implementation of specific projects, the scientist said.

The second stage of the proposed strategy, in 2016-2031, envisions the development and testing of materials to be used in future fusion power reactors.

During the third stage, which will start after 2031, Russia hopes to design and start building commercial fusion power plants, Velikhov said.

RIA Novosti