The Power of the Stars: Harnessing Nuclear Fusion for Energy Needs

From tokamaks to laser beams, fusion energy research is transforming science’s most ambitious dream into a clean energy revolution

Harnessing nuclear fusion—the process that powers the Sun and stars—has been a beacon of hope for scientists and energy pioneers alike. Unlike nuclear fission, which splits heavy atomic nuclei, fusion combines light atomic nuclei, such as isotopes of hydrogen, to release immense amounts of energy. This energy, derived from the fusion of hydrogen into helium, has the potential to provide humanity with an almost limitless, carbon-free, and sustainable source of power.

Why Fusion is Revolutionary

Nuclear fusion offers profound advantages over existing energy sources. Its primary fuel sources—deuterium (extracted from seawater) and tritium (produced in reactors)—are abundant and widely available. A gram of fusion fuel can make as much energy as burning 10 tonnes of coal, underscoring its extraordinary energy density. Moreover, fusion reactors produce no greenhouse gases (GHG) during operation, significantly reducing the environmental footprint compared to fossil fuels. Fusion generates minimal long-lived radioactive waste, addressing one of the major drawbacks of current nuclear fission technologies.

Despite its potential, achieving fusion remains an immense scientific and engineering challenge. It requires creating and sustaining extreme conditions, including temperatures exceeding 150 million degrees Celsius, effective plasma confinement, and achieving net energy gain. However, recent advancements in key areas have brought us closer to achieving the milestone of a self-sustaining fusion reaction, or ‘ignition’:

• Materials Science: Innovations in advanced materials capable of withstanding extreme heat, radiation, and mechanical stress are crucial for reactor walls and plasma-facing components.
• Magnetic Confinement: Devices such as tokamaks and stellarators employ powerful magnetic fields to confine superheated plasma and minimise energy losses. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), an international project in France, exemplifies collaborative progress in this domain.
• Inertial Confinement: Laser-driven systems, such as the National Ignition Facility (NIF), concentrate immense energy onto tiny fuel pellets to replicate the extreme conditions necessary for fusion.
• High-Temperature Superconductors: Advances in superconducting magnets have dramatically improved magnetic field strength and efficiency, enabling the development of compact, cost-effective reactor designs.

These breakthroughs are bridging the gap between theory and practical realisation, positioning fusion as a cornerstone of sustainable energy for the future.

Prominent Fusion Reactor Designs in Research

• Tokamak (ITER and Other Facilities)
  
  The Tokamak design relies on magnetic fields to confine plasma at temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius within a vacuum chamber. This confinement prevents plasma from contacting the reactor walls, shaping it into a toroidal (doughnut-like) form. Plasma heating techniques include Ohmic heating, neutral beam injection, and high-frequency wave oscillations. The heat generated by fusion reactions is converted into electricity through conventional power generation methods. The ITER, located in Cadarache, France, represents the largest and most complex fusion device under development. A global collaboration involving India, China, the European Union (EU), Japan, Korea, Russia, and the United States (US), ITER exemplifies international commitment to advancing fusion energy.

 Source: ITER, France

• Mini Tokamak (Tokamak Energy and Commonwealth Fusion Systems)
  
  Mini Tokamaks, or spherical Tokamaks, employ high-temperature superconducting magnets to confine plasma in a compact, apple-core-shaped configuration. These magnets enable stronger and more efficient fields, facilitating smaller reactor designs. Key experiments include the US’s National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) and the United Kingdom’s  Mega Ampere Special Tokamak (MAST). Companies such as Tokamak Energy (UK) and Commonwealth Fusion Systems (US) are leading efforts to develop compact fusion power plants based on this technology.
  

Source: MIT-PSFC/CFS

Source: Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics

• Stellarator Stellarators use intricately designed magnetic coils to produce a helical magnetic field, allowing for plasma confinement without requiring a plasma current. This eliminates the need for pulsed operation, a key advantage. However, the engineering complexity and high cost of the magnets are significant challenges. Notable Stellarators include Wendelstein 7-X (Germany), the Helically Symmetric Experiment (HSX) (USA), and the Large Helical Device (Japan).

• Linear Colliding Beams Reactor (TAE Technologies)
  
  This design involves injecting plasma packets into a central chamber where they rotate rapidly within a solenoid. Fusion occurs through collisions and magnetic confinement. TAE Technologies, a leader in this approach, has built multiple prototypes and aims to produce electricity within the decade. With more than US$1.2 billion in funding and 1,500 granted patents, TAE is a prominent player in fusion innovation.

Source: TAE Technologies

• Magnetised Target Reactor (General Fusion)
  
  The Magnetised Target Fusion (MTF) approach combines magnetic and inertial confinement. Plasma is confined within a spinning ball of liquid metal, and fusion conditions are achieved through rapid compression. General Fusion, founded by Dr Michel Laberge, is developing its LM26 machine to reach fusion conditions by 2025. With over 150 patents filed, the company is advancing cost-effective fusion technologies.

Source: General Fusion

• Fusion Micro Reactor (Avalanche Energy)
  
  Fusion microreactors utilise electric fields instead of magnetic fields to confine plasma. Avalanche Energy’s microreactor, Orbitron, has potential applications in distributed clean energy generation and space propulsion. The Pentagon’s Defence Innovation Unit has contracted Avalanche Energy to develop prototype fusion propulsion systems for space exploration, targeting deployment by 2027.

The Breakthrough Moment in Fusion

Despite the saying that ‘fusion is always 30 years away’, significant milestones have been achieved. The Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) in the US and the Joint European Torus (JET) in the UK demonstrated key advances in plasma temperature and energy density. In December 2022, the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California achieved ignition, producing 3.15 megajoules of energy from a 2.05 megajoule input, a historic breakthrough akin to the Wright Brothers’ first flight.

A laser bay at the National Ignition Facility in California.

Source: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

• India’s Fusion Research Landscape: India’s fusion research is spearheaded by the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) in Gandhinagar, housing two tokamaks: ADITYA (commissioned in 1989) and SST-1 (a new-generation tokamak). Both are integral to advancing India’s capabilities in fusion technology. However, private sector involvement remains minimal, which could accelerate research and development in this critical field.
• Economic Potential: The global fusion industry, valued at an estimated US$40 trillion ^[4], offers immense opportunities for economic growth. By securing a proportionate share, India could add US$6.8 trillion to its economy. Fusion energy can also reduce India’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, bolstering energy security and economic resilience.
• Fostering a Scientific Research Environment: Incorporating private sector players into fusion research can emulate success stories from other critical sectors, such as defence and space. Companies, including Zen Technologies and Adani Defence, have demonstrated the benefits of public-private collaboration. Similar initiatives in fusion research could generate direct and indirect employment while fostering innovation.
• Advancing Cutting-Edge Technologies: Fusion research drives advancements in materials science, diagnostics, and superconducting magnet systems. These innovations have applications beyond energy, influencing defence, space, and medical technologies. For instance, nuclear research has already revolutionised fields such as cancer treatment, agriculture, and space exploration.

The Way Forward

For India, a country with an ever-growing energy demand, fusion represents a transformative opportunity. With a strong foundation in nuclear science and technology, India is already a contributing partner in ITER and has the potential to leverage fusion advancements to meet its energy and climate goals. Investments in indigenous fusion research, collaborations with global programmes, and fostering a skilled workforce will be critical for India’s leadership in this emerging field.

Globally, the successful development of commercial fusion reactors could redefine energy geopolitics, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and support the transition to a carbon-neutral economy. However, challenges such as high initial costs, scalability, and regulatory frameworks must be addressed to ensure that fusion becomes an accessible and equitable energy solution.

As we stand at the threshold of a fusion-powered future, the journey is as inspiring as the destination. The quest to replicate the power of the stars on Earth is not just a scientific endeavour; it is a testament to humanity’s ingenuity and determination to create a sustainable, energy-secure world for generations to come. To expedite fusion energy research, India must:

• Allocate increased resources to fusion research institutions.
• Encourage private sector participation through incentives and joint ventures.
• Diversify research approaches, exploring various plasma confinement and energy extraction methods.
• Leverage international collaborations to share expertise and accelerate progress.

Fusion energy represents a monumental opportunity for humanity. Achieving this breakthrough could not only secure carbon-free energy but also position India as a global leader in science and technology. With strategic investments and collaborations, the dream of fusion energy can become a reality within our lifetimes, reshaping our energy future and combating climate change.

This commentary originally appeared in ORF.