Fusion Energy Could Be a Reality in Less Than 5 Years

SPARC is aiming to be the first experimental device to achieve an energy-positive fusion reaction. New research suggests that this goal may soon be within reach.
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With construction slated to begin in spring 2021, the team predicts it could be built within 3 to 4 years from that. Their goal is to achieve a Q factor of at least 2, basically meaning SPARC will pump out twice the energy needed to power it.

Actually, by the calculations in their papers, SPARC could possibly achieve a Q ratio of 10! But the researchers are cautious about overpromising, and are just focused on achieving the lower figure.
It’s still impressive, considering any net gain would be a first for human created controlled fusion.

Assuming it gets built along that predicted 3-4 year timeline and actually gets flipped on, there’s still several steps between SPARC and limitless clean energy.

#sparc #climatechange #fusion #technology #physics

Read More:

We've Long Waited for Fusion. This Reactor May Finally Deliver It—Fast.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a34224299/nuclear-fusion-compact-reactor-sparc-timeline/
"Everyone involved with fusion is working hard with extremely complex science, and the delays aren’t because anyone is foolish."

Compact Nuclear Fusion Reactor Is ‘Very Likely to Work,’ Studies Suggest
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/29/climate/nuclear-fusion-reactor.html
"...in seven peer-reviewed papers published Tuesday in a special issue of The Journal of Plasma Physics, researchers laid out the evidence that Sparc would succeed and produce as much as 10 times the energy it consumes."

Nuclear Fusion Will Not Save Us
https://earther.gizmodo.com/nuclear-fusion-will-not-save-us-1844605848
"Reducing emissions will require more than finding the perfect clean energy source; it will need a massive shift in human behavior, lowering our emissions through energy efficiency and less consumption."

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