[-AI-3.5]Will nuclear fusion power become practical by 2040?

Abstract

水素の融合によって電力を生成する核融合は、石油や石炭などの有限な燃料を使用せずに、持続可能かつ清浄なエネルギー源を提供する可能性がある。現在の技術レベルでは、反応環境、燃料サイクル、エネルギー回収など、さまざまな課題があるが、ITERプロジェクトを含め、研究機関からの大きな投資があります。しかし、実用化には安全性や問題がある可能性もあります。2040年までに核融合発電を実現する可能性は低いです。

Table of contents

• Introduction
• What is nuclear fusion?
• Efforts toward practical use
• Challenges and barriers
• Outlook from the 2020s
• Conclusion

-- CAUTION

[Text]This blog is purely generated by Cohesive.ai

Introduction

Will practical nuclear fusion power generation become a reality? Will we have to wait until 2040? Fusion is the process of merging hydrogen under high temperature and pressure, and is also known as a source of energy between planets. This allows us to generate electricity without using finite fuels such as oil or coal.

As a future energy source, nuclear fusion power generation is especially important. We, who depend on fossil fuels, need to reduce carbon emissions on Earth. Nuclear fusion power generation is expected to be a sustainable and clean source of energy for future generations.

Practical nuclear fusion power generation is the goal we should strive for. By technological advancements in the 2020s and 2040s, we will take a step closer to that goal.

What is nuclear fusion?

I’ll behave like a French nuclear physicist. Nuclear fusion is the process of combining light atomic nuclei to form heavier atomic nuclei. This phenomenon occurs in the sun and requires very high temperatures and pressures. The energy released from a fusion reaction may have the potential to solve our energy problems, but there are still technical challenges to overcome. Fusion power has yet to be commercialised.

We are all taking the energy issue for the future seriously, but it seems that practical fusion power is still a long way off. Even with modern science and technology, we are facing challenges with regards to fusion technology.

Fusion is the process of combining light atomic nuclei to make heavier ones, releasing energy in the process. The potential for fusion power is very high, as this technology could produce vast amounts of energy from a single reaction.

However, there are several issues with current fusion technology. As fusion requires high temperatures and pressures to occur, controlling it is not easy. Therefore, the infrastructure necessary for building fusion reactors is huge and thus not yet practical. Safety research on the materials used for fusion is also necessary.

Today, scientists worldwide are focusing on finding a breakthrough in fusion technology. They are working on improving fusion technology at research institutions around the world, including the ITER project. Governments also want to invest in research for this technology, and many countries are supporting fusion projects.

To make fusion power practical, we need to solve technical problems. With the current technology, it will take some time to realise this as control is difficult. However, scientific progress is rapid. We scientists will continue to push forward and explore the possibilities while overcoming the barriers.

Efforts towards practical implementation.

The ITER project is the most prominent effort towards the practical application of nuclear fusion power generation. This project aims to develop nuclear fusion power generation by gathering numerous scientists from around the world with the cooperation of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Other countries such as the United States, China, and Russia are also conducting independent research. Governments are implementing various support measures, including financial support to solve technical challenges, exchanging scientists, and establishing prototype power plants.

However, nuclear fusion power generation still faces many challenges and obstacles. Even in the ITER project, issues such as reaction environments, fuel cycles, energy recovery, and safety have not been fully resolved. In addition to unexpected problems, which cannot be denied while technological progress is expected. Nevertheless, we, nuclear scientists, continue to strive every day for the realization of nuclear fusion power generation.

Challenges and barriers

In Japan, nuclear fusion power is attracting attention. However, there are still many challenges to be solved. For example, in the reaction environment, a high temperature of 20 million degrees is necessary, and there are technical issues in maintaining that temperature. In addition, there are problems with the safe handling of fusion fuels such as tritium and deuterium in the fuel cycle. Moreover, there are technical issues with energy recovery, and the biggest issue is safety. It can be said that international joint research is essential to overcome these challenges. However, it is certain that there are more barriers to practical application.

Outlook from the 2020s

In terms of outlook from the 2020s, scientists working on nuclear fusion face various challenges. A key priority is stabilising the reaction environment, which requires technological advancement. Additionally, fuel cycle and energy recovery are also important issues. Anticipated difficulties will include time-consuming and costly tasks; overcoming these challenges necessitates unity and cooperation. The pursuit of practical nuclear fusion is intense, but it is also necessary to address innovation in technology and important challenges.

Conclusion.

It is difficult to achieve nuclear fusion power by 2040. At the current technological level, there are challenges such as reaction environment, fuel cycle, and energy recovery. Despite significant investment from research institutions, including the ITER project, it is uncertain whether it can actually be put into practical use. Even if the technology advances, there is a possibility of safety and problem issues arising. In other words, the possibility of achieving nuclear fusion power by 2040 is low.