Peril

I have decided to dedicate this post to an explanation of the current state of Fusion energy, as there still appears to be some confusion surrounding the subject.

To begin with, there are several different approaches to the generation of Fusion power. I will be focusing on what appears to be the most promising design, known as the "Tokamak".

A Tokamak uses powerful toroidally positioned magnetic fields to compress circular streams of Hydrogen plasma to the point where it fuses into Helium, releasing energy in the process. Originally designed in the Soviet Union, there have been a series of Tokamaks built with sequentially increasing levels of success.

There are two key principles to keep in mind. The first is the reactor's "Q-value," which is the amount of energy you get out as a percentage of what you have put in. As with every nuclear and chemical reaction, there is an "activation energy" which you must first surmount before you are able to create any energy output.

Thus far Tokamaks have been yet to exceed a Q-value of 1 to 1. That is scheduled to change within the next few years though, with the construction of reactors capable of a Q-value exceeding 10 to 1.

However, high energy efficiency is only the beginning when it comes to the feasibility of nuclear fusion. A much higher bar to clear will be a reactor which is economical, and which generates more power than was used in its construction and operation. With costs approaching $50 billion per reactor, and an electrical input of 250 Megawatts for every 500 Megawatts of output, profitable fusion power is likely farther away.

There is nevertheless a great deal to celebrate when it comes to fusion power, as the principles involved will likely be proven not only legitimate, but also successful, within the coming years. And if previous great leaps in technology have been any indication (such as The Moon Shot, The Human Genome Project, and the International Space Station), the realization of Fusion power's viability will likely ignite a sustained scientific dedication that will only improve its feasibility.