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”.
