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Report Calls For ‘Long-Term Fusion Funding’ In UK |
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Written by NucNet
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Tuesday, 23 February 2010 |
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The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project alone will not be enough to realise fusion power and fusion needs “continued long-term funding in the UK”, even when difficult financial choices are being made, a report says.
The Research Councils UK report, which is based on the recommendations of an international expert group, says however great the challenge, the global potential of fusion energy fully justifies pursuing fusion research in the UK.
It says fusion is a potential source of “abundant, zero-emission and low-waste energy”, and a sustainable long-term solution to the world’s energy needs, which will complement other low carbon energy solutions.
The report says the UK should continue to contribute to world-class research and international leadership in both magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) and inertial confinement fusion (ICF), particularly developing a “technology pathway”.
“We should maximise opportunities for global collaboration and develop a common programme between MCF and ICF in fusion materials, engineering and technology development,” the report concludes.
Laser fusion research in the UK is centred on the HiPER (High Power Laser Energy Research; www.hiper-laser.org) Project, a UK-led European consortium from 10 countries, whose work is strongly tied to the results of experiments at the US Department of Energy’s 3.5 billion US dollar (about 2.57 billion euro) National Ignition Facility.
The NIF is on track for the all-important first “ignition” of fusion by high-powered lasers between late 2010 and 2012.
HiPER welcomed the report, pointing out that it calls for an integrated UK approach to fusion and continued long-term funding for fusion research. The expert group, chaired by Professor Keith Burnett, was convened by the Research Councils UK Energy Programme, the Science and Technology Facilities Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
“Decisions are now needed to see this research through to delivery,” said an expert group spokesman, “As a world leader in this field, the UK is in a prime position to go forward with our European and international partners and build laser fusion into a sustainable energy reality.”
The full report, ‘A 20-year Vision for the UK Contribution to Fusion as an Energy Source’, is online here.
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