In a groundbreaking experiment, the UK-based JET laboratory has set a new world record in nuclear fusion, edging humanity closer to the dream of limitless, clean power. Nuclear fusion, the same process that powers stars and the Sun, could revolutionize energy production by generating vast amounts of energy without contributing to global warming. The achievement at the JET laboratory comes after more than four decades of relentless fusion research, making it a fitting swansong for the facility.
Nuclear fusion works by heating and forcing tiny particles together to create a heavier atom, releasing usable energy in the process. If successfully scaled up to commercial levels, it could provide an endless supply of clean and carbon-free energy, free from the limitations of weather conditions that affect wind and solar power. However, as Dr. Aneeqa Khan, Research Fellow in Nuclear Fusion at the University of Manchester, explains, achieving fusion on Earth is no easy feat. Temperatures ten times hotter than the Sun, reaching around 100 million degrees Celsius, along with high atomic density and sufficient duration, are necessary for atoms to fuse together.
While the latest experiments produced a modest 69 megajoules of energy over five seconds, equivalent to only enough energy for four to five hot baths, it signifies significant progress. Professor Stuart Mangles from Imperial College London commends the power of international collaboration in achieving these results, emphasizing that hundreds of scientists and engineers from across Europe contributed to this breakthrough.
The JET facility, funded primarily by the EU nuclear research program Euratom and operated by the UK Atomic Energy Agency, has served as a hub for fusion research for over four decades. Originally planned for a 10-year lifespan, the facility witnessed repeated successes, leading to its extended use. The recently announced record is three times greater than similar tests conducted in 1997, paving the way for deeper understanding of fusion physics and inspiring greater confidence in the pursuit of fusion energy.
However, the future involvement of the UK in European fusion research remains uncertain after the country’s exit from the Euratom program. Despite the government’s decision not to re-join, ongoing discussions with European partners aim to explore potential collaborations with the ITER facility. ITER, based in France, is the successor to JET and aims to achieve full-scale fusion experiments by 2035, following significant delays and cost overruns. These delays may have influenced the UK government’s alternative approach, as it committed £650 million to national research programs and plans to establish the world’s first fusion power plant in Nottinghamshire.
The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) project, managed by the UK Industrial Fusion Solutions, is set to commence operations in the 2040s. This ambitious endeavor demonstrates the UK’s commitment to fusion energy and its determination to contribute to the clean energy revolution. With each milestone achieved in fusion research, humanity inches closer to unlocking the transformative potential of nuclear fusion as a sustainable energy source.
In conclusion, the new world record in nuclear fusion at the JET laboratory marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of clean energy. While there are still many challenges to overcome, such as achieving the extreme temperatures required for fusion on Earth, the collaborative efforts of scientists and engineers across Europe showcase the progress being made. As the UK charts its own path in fusion research post-Brexit, the establishment of the STEP project underscores its commitment to this groundbreaking technology. With continued advancements, fusion energy could revolutionize the global energy landscape, mitigating climate change and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
