On 12 February, the CEA’s WEST machine was able to maintain a plasma for more than 22 minutes. In doing so, it smashed the previous record for plasma duration achieved with a tokamak. This leap forward demonstrates how our knowledge of plasmas and technological control of them over longer periods is becoming more mature, and offers hope that fusion plasmas can be stabilised for greater amounts of time in machines such as ITER.
I wonder if fusion powers true usefulness will be when humans are in space? Because you are correct in saying renewables will probably be enough to supply all our needs and more by the 2030s.
I think it depends on how much power we devote to AI computations over the next decade. Home electrical use has been steadily declining with the introduction of more energy efficient appliances and lighting.
Only 13257 more iterations before its ready for practical use 🎉 at which point the whole world already runs on renewables or humans are extinct.
Seriously tho, good stuff. Lets hope its keeps making progress.
I wonder if fusion powers true usefulness will be when humans are in space? Because you are correct in saying renewables will probably be enough to supply all our needs and more by the 2030s.
This seems extremely optimistic! Electricity production from coal has been rising steadily for decades :( https://www.statista.com/statistics/1082201/coal-fired-electricity-generation-globally/
30% of global electricity was from renewables in 2024. It’s already cheaper than most other sources, and keeps getting cheaper.
I just wonder if it will eventually be used to boil water in order to spin a turbine.
Don’t worry, it will boil water!
I think it depends on how much power we devote to AI computations over the next decade. Home electrical use has been steadily declining with the introduction of more energy efficient appliances and lighting.
We’ll almost certainly need fusion if we want to explore out in the black beyond our solar system.