In an in-depth discussion regarding Europe’s pursuit of fusion energy, Massimo Garribba, the Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Energy at the European Commission, highlighted the continent's strategic developments and pivotal projects in fusion technology. With increasing focus on sustainability and the achievement of net-zero targets, fusion energy—akin to the processes powering the sun—has the potential to revolutionise the energy landscape.
Europe has long been at the forefront of fusion research and development, notably through the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), an ambitious international collaboration located in southern France. Garribba elaborates that ITER is designed to build the world's largest tokamak, a sophisticated device aimed at substantiating the scientific and engineering viability of harnessing fusion energy for electricity generation. This enormous project, which will stand at approximately 30 metres tall and 30 metres wide and weigh in at 23,000 tonnes upon completion, represents a landmark commitment to exploring fusion as a sustainable energy source.
"The EU considers fusion has the potential to provide a safe, cost-efficient and sustainable solution to European and global energy needs in the future," Garribba stated while discussing the European Union's sustained investment in fusion research. He noted that through the Horizon Europe Euratom Research and Training Programme, EU funding supports the EUROfusion consortium, which connects various European fusion laboratories with the goal of advancing crucial technologies necessary for operating future fusion reactors.
In addition to ITER, the EU is engaging in partnerships under the Broader Approach Agreement with Japan, fostering essential infrastructure development, including the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF), vital for testing materials capable of enduring the extreme conditions within fusion environments. Furthermore, the JT-60SA tokamak in Japan supports ITER by providing supplemental research capabilities.
Recently, Spain and Croatia have collaborated on the construction of the IFMIF-DONES facility, which focuses on neutron source development to advance the research and validation of materials crucial for future fusion power plants. National initiatives, such as the Joint European Torus (JET) in the UK and the Wendelstein 7-X in Germany, further exemplify Europe’s commitment to fusion energy.
"The findings from major European fusion activities, such as JET and EUROfusion, play a crucial role in informing the future of European fusion development," Garribba stated, underscoring the importance of shared knowledge from these projects in transitioning towards commercialisation. With JET concluding its pivotal operational phase in December 2023, its contributions to plasma experiments and training future fusion scientists will continue to inform Europe's fusion development pathway.
Nevertheless, Garribba highlighted a series of technological bottlenecks hindering the full realisation of fusion energy, including the necessity for materials capable of withstanding the reactor's harsh conditions and ensuring tritium—a key fusion fuel—is produced sustainably within reactors themselves. Overcoming these challenges is essential for progressing from experimental reactors to a viable energy source.
Looking ahead, Garribba noted that significant actions are required to foster the growth of the fusion sector in Europe. Key among these is the continued financial and technical support for ITER, which is seen as central to global fusion efforts. Developing an appropriate regulatory framework tailored to fusion technologies is also deemed crucial. Ongoing dialogues with European nuclear safety authorities are being held to establish frameworks that facilitate innovation and the safe deployment of fusion.
Adding to the optimism, Garribba pointed out private sector initiatives aiming to showcase technological advancements within the next five years, with potential pilot plants anticipated between 2030 and the mid-2030s. These private efforts will parallel public initiatives like ITER, which encompass a comprehensive approach aimed at addressing critical long-term issues essential for fusion commercialisation.
While precise timelines remain uncertain, Garribba expressed confidence in Europe’s commitment to realising fusion energy as a viable component of the future energy mix, stating, "The benefits of having fusion energy as a part of the future energy mix are worth pursuing and we remain committed to making fusion energy a reality as fast as possible."
The dialogue surrounding fusion energy represents not only a technological ambition but an integrated approach to transitioning towards more sustainable energy solutions within the European context.
Source: Noah Wire Services