Power - Sun, Fusion - Clean Energy

I recently listened to a lecture about Stellarator, which is a donut shaped magnetic plasma confinement device to support a controlled and sustained fusion reaction. I have always thought it was like an atomic bomb, where fission reaction is dangerous and uncontrolled. According to Dr. David Gates, fusion is clean energy and can be an abundant, safe and reliable energy source which can lower fossil fuel usage.

• It reduces pollution and slows global climate change. There is no CO2 production.

• There are plenty resources - water and a small amount of lithium.

• Short-lived radioactive waste - No Yucca Mountain.

Fusion happens in hot plasma, which is the fourth state of matter. Fusion energy is what powers the Sun. By studying Tokamak and Stellarator, we are on our way to create man-made suns on the Earth which can provide continuous low-cost clean energy. This has been a dream for scientists since the 1950's. Luckily, I even visited a tokamak and control room when I was six month old (according to my mom).

Science on Saturday: The Renaissance of the Stellarator Fusion Concept https://www.pppl.gov/events/science-saturday-renaissance-stellarator-fusion-concept