The Power of the Sun on Earth! The Amazing Nuclear Fusion Power: A Complete Picture of the Future Energy RevolutionAsked

Contents（目次）

What is Nuclear Fusion Power?
How Nuclear Fusion Power Works
Advantages of Nuclear Fusion Power
Challenges in Nuclear Fusion Power
Current Research and Development Status
Prospects for Practical Implementation
Summary

What is Nuclear Fusion Power?

Nuclear fusion power is a method of generating energy using the same principle as the sun.

While current nuclear power plants extract energy through “nuclear fission,” fusion power uses a different reaction called “nuclear fusion.”

Nuclear fusion occurs when light atomic nuclei combine to form new atomic nuclei, releasing massive amounts of energy in the process.

This mechanism is also the source of energy that keeps the sun shining.

How Nuclear Fusion Power Works

Fuel Preparation

Nuclear fusion uses isotopes of hydrogen called “deuterium (²H)” and “tritium (³H)” as fuel.

Deuterium can be easily extracted from seawater, while tritium can be produced using lithium.

Generation of Ultra-High Temperature Plasma

For nuclear fusion to occur, atomic nuclei must come extremely close together.

However, because atomic nuclei normally repel each other due to their positive charges, they don’t easily combine.

Therefore, the fuel is heated to an ultra-high temperature of over 100 million degrees Celsius to facilitate atomic nuclei collisions.

This creates a state called “plasma,” which is like a super-hot gas where atomic nuclei and electrons have separated.

Nuclear Fusion Reaction

When deuterium and tritium in the high-temperature plasma state collide and fuse, they produce a helium nucleus (⁴He) and a high-speed neutron (n), releasing enormous energy.

The reaction equation is:
²H + ³H → ⁴He + n + 17.6 MeV

Energy Recovery and Power Generation

The high-speed neutrons produced in this reaction carry extremely high kinetic energy.

These neutrons are caught by a device called a “blanket,” which converts their kinetic energy into heat.

This heat is used to heat water, generating steam that drives steam turbines to produce electricity.

This is the same method used in current thermal and nuclear power plants.

Advantages of Nuclear Fusion Power

Abundant Fuel: High sustainability as deuterium is abundant in seawater and tritium can be produced from lithium.
Low Environmental Impact: No CO₂ emissions and minimal air pollutants.
Low Accident Risk: No risk of meltdown and no chain reactions, ensuring high safety.
Minimal Radioactive Waste: Almost no high-level radioactive waste and less low-level waste than conventional nuclear power.

Challenges in Nuclear Fusion Power

Technical Hurdles: Need to maintain stable plasma at over 100 million degrees Celsius.
Enormous Cost: High expenses for construction and maintenance of experimental facilities.
Improving Generation Efficiency: Currently, input energy exceeds output energy.

Current Research and Development Status

ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) (France)

Under construction with cooperation from over 30 countries
First plasma operations planned for late 2025 or early 2026

Japan’s JT-60SA (Ibaraki Prefecture)

Experimental reactor jointly developed by Japan and EU
Research progressing as a preliminary step to ITER

Private Sector Initiatives

American companies like Helion Energy and TAE Technologies developing their own technologies

Prospects for Practical Implementation

With current technology, commercialization is predicted for after 2050.

However, accelerated technological innovation could enable earlier practical implementation.

Summary

Nuclear fusion power is anticipated as a next-generation energy source with abundant fuel, low environmental impact, and high safety.

Despite numerous technical challenges, research institutions and companies worldwide are advancing development, potentially becoming a crucial technology for solving future energy problems.