When fusion energy enters the market, it will offer a dense, carbon-free, renewable energy source unmatched by current technologies. The power generation that it can provide will be a critical partner to renewables. But, taking into consideration what we have learned from renewable energy policy, finance, and commercial project development, rapid implementation of fusion energy will require early, broad acceptance of its technology. Acceptance and support are fostered through independent education and coalescing participation in the policies which will concern fusion and its development.
At ECG, we believe the first step in this process is to provide an objective definition of fusion, its applications, and the requirements needed for its implementation; and this information should be made available in a way that is broadly accessible to everyone – a fusion 101. As part of this process, ECG has commissioned two white papers from Tourmaline Group that dive into the basics of fusion and the economics of electricity production. These papers, available here on our website, provide basic definitions for a better understanding about fusion technology and its applications.
To give you a taste of topics covered in the paper, we answer a couple of the most common questions about fusion below.
What is fusion?
Fusion is the process of taking two light elements, the building blocks of matter, and pushing them close enough together that they combine (or “fuse”) into a heavier element. In this process, some of the mass is converted directly into energy without the creation of harmful wastes such as greenhouse gases (GHGs). This energy can be harnessed in a multitude of ways ranging from producing electricity to providing the heat for manufacturing.
Why is fusion important?
The recent impartial IPCC report projects that global warming of 1.5C and 2C will be exceeded during the 21st century unless there are rapid, large-scale reductions in CO2 and other GHGs. In other words, we will go beyond the so-called “tipping point,” unless we act. To meet 2050 decarbonization targets, technological advancements are required to replace existing energy from coal and gas. Fusion can play a disruptive role in decarbonizing the economy in time to make this critical difference.
Fusion is the energy of the stars; it is dense, safe, renewable, and not intermittent. Fusion devices plan to use lithium and hydrogen as fuel, both of which can be obtained from seawater. They have an energy density millions of times greater than oil and coal and ten times greater than even fission. But, unlike fission, fusion is not a chain reaction and it’s difficult to start, so it doesn’t pose the same safety risks as fission. Furthermore, fusion has the potential to offer stability to the current renewables market, complementing intermittent renewable technologies such as wind, solar, and hydro.
This post and ECG’s latest whitepapers are only an introduction to the developing conversation around fusion. ECG has more whitepapers planned for the coming months, so check back to get more information about fusion and its development. Additionally, ECG plans to introduce a “Fusion FAQ” to our website where we will answer common questions about fusion.