In a significant step towards commercializing nuclear fusion, Tokamak Energy has achieved a plasma temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius in its fusion reactor. The British company’s breakthrough was verified by an independent scientist using over 25 diagnostic instruments. The achievement is crucial for the commercial use of fusion energy. Tokamak Energy’s CEO, Chris Kelsall, expressed pride in the achievement, stating that it brings the world closer to a new, safe, and carbon-free energy source. The company plans to make the results available to researchers soon.
The spherical reactor used by Tokamak Energy is unusual compared to other reactors of its type, which are typically torus-shaped. The spherical design makes the reactor more compact and cheaper to build. The reactor, which is only five years old, cost £60 million, a fraction of the £20 billion expected for the Iter experimental reactor in southern France. Tokamak Energy plans to equip its reactor with high-temperature superconductor (HTS) magnets in its next iteration. The combination of HTS magnets and spherical Tokamaks is the optimal way to deliver clean and cost-effective commercial fusion energy, according to Kelsall.
The achievement by Tokamak Energy is a significant milestone in the quest for commercial nuclear fusion. The technology has the potential to provide a virtually limitless source of clean energy, but it has been challenging to achieve. The plasma temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius is necessary to achieve fusion, where atomic nuclei combine to release energy. The achievement by Tokamak Energy brings the world closer to a future where fusion energy is a reality, providing a safe and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
