Stepping stone to clean energy; Commercialisation of nuclear fusion technology still decades away
On December 13, 2022, researchers from the United States created history by achieving a major step in recreating the sun’s power on Earth — nuclear fusion.
The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory — a federal research facility in California — produced 3 megajoules (MJ) of energy from an input of 2 MJ at its National Ignition Facility (NIF).
This milestone by the US researchers follows six decades of efforts to achieve ignition. This means that the energy produced should exceed the energy consumed.
Nuclear fusion is described as the “holy grail” of energy production. It occurs when two hydrogen atoms fuse to form heavier helium and release energy.
Moreover, the process does not emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, paving the way for tapping into nuclear fusion as a clean energy source in the future.
“In August 2021, the NIF produced 1.35 (MJ) energy. This put us at the threshold of ignition. Ignition is the first step and sets the stage for a transformation decade in high energy density science and fusion research. But it could probably take a few decades to put us in the position of a power plant.” said Kim Budil, Director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Read more: US Department of Energy announces breakthrough in nuclear fusion, sets path to clean energy source
The NIF uses a laser-based research device to achieve nuclear fusion. Researchers around the world have also used magnetic fields to achieve similar results.
The commercialisation of nuclear fusion technology is still decades away and needs heavy investments, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. The private sector is already showing interest in fusion research.
Companies have raised over $100 million each for fusion research. The team is now planning to upgrade the technology while looking at ways to make the process simpler and more robust.
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