The completion of the world’s largest fusion reactor, the ITER tokamak, has been announced by project scientists, but it won’t be operational for another 15 years. Originally supposed to start testing in 2020, the reactor is now set to begin firing in 2039 at the earliest, according to recent reports.
This delay in the ITER project is a setback for fusion power, which was hoped to be a solution for the climate crisis. Despite the impressive design and collaboration between 35 countries, including the European Union, the U.K., China, India, and the U.S., the project has faced multiple delays and budget overruns. The initial $5 billion budget has now ballooned to over $22 billion, with an additional $5 billion proposed to cover additional costs.
Scientists have been working on harnessing nuclear fusion for over 70 years, aiming to replicate the process by which stars generate energy. Fusion reactors like the tokamak work by superheating plasma and trapping it inside a donut-shaped chamber with powerful magnetic fields. However, maintaining the conditions for nuclear fusion to occur has proven to be a significant challenge.
One of the main obstacles is handling plasma at the extremely high temperatures required for fusion to happen. Fusion reactors need to reach temperatures much hotter than the sun, but at lower pressures. This delicate balance has yet to be achieved, as no reactor has been able to produce more energy than it consumes.
Despite the setbacks, scientists remain optimistic about the potential of nuclear fusion as a clean and efficient energy source. The completion of the ITER tokamak represents a significant milestone in the quest for fusion power, even though its full potential may not be realized for another decade and a half.
Ben Turner, a staff writer at Live Science, covers physics and astronomy, as well as other topics like technology and climate change. With a background in particle physics, Ben brings a unique perspective to his reporting on scientific advancements and breakthroughs. In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing the guitar, and indulging in a game of chess.
