Very Exciting

[ClunkintheUK]

Well it is if you are a nerd like me. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24429621

I didn't see this article when it was first published, but it is a very exciting development.

[chris8886]

can't say that I am in the least bit in the know as to what is exactly going on, but it does sound quite good.

[Sid Squid]

Yes, it is exciting - another stumbling step along the road to something big.

[Jayneflakes]

That is cool, although it is a small step it is a significant one. The expense of research will be worth it once fusion is cracked, but that is still some time away yet. So in the mean time those of us in Somerset are getting a new fission reactor at Hinkley. :-(

[kaivalagi]

Great news for 2014, maybe this planet will get a break soon...

[EssexDave]

Very exciting indeed. I tend to keep up with the Fusion updates, but had missed this - thanks for posting.

It's a very interesting idea but still a long way from being used as power stations, but hopefully if people invest in it now, we'll see it in years to come!

[thefallenangel]

I'm more for converting energy already in use on the planet from wind/electricity/sunlight into electricity but to me this seems impossible as energy only ever changes form, you can't "make" energy.

[EssexDave]

The idea of nuclear fusion is pretty good but gets a negative press because of the association of nuclear with waste.

Nuclear fusion does not produce any toxic waste - it produces helium.
It also uses heavy water as fuel, and 1kg of heavy water could theoretically contain enough energy to power America for a year.

Compared to wind/sun powered schemes, it's not actually bad at all, especially considering the amount of the Earth you'd have to cover to get enough electric to power the demands at current - it's just not worth it.

[Teejayexc]

Nuclear fusion does not produce any toxic waste - it produces helium.

So we'd all sound like Joe Pasquale too? Hmm.

[ClunkintheUK]

I see you're in the know Dave.

Not sure about the Z-pinch technology (the one in the article) but the Tokamak technology also uses lithium as a fuel. They are also working on second and third generation tokamaks, so called spherical tokamaks, which would 'burn' heavier elements.

Fallen Angel, yeah the "renewable energies" are crucial too. They work now, although they are un-predictable. I think they require a re-think of how energy is used and transported. And yes you are absolutely right you can't make energy, the technology converts mass to energy. Its a very favorable conversion rate (E = MC^2) so for 1kg of material converted you get 9 X 10^16 joules of energy, about 25m MWH. A Fission nuclear power station produces about 6MW.

[thefallenangel]

The idea of nuclear fusion is pretty good but gets a negative press because of the association of nuclear with waste.

Nuclear fusion does not produce any toxic waste - it produces helium.
It also uses heavy water as fuel, and 1kg of heavy water could theoretically contain enough energy to power America for a year.

Compared to wind/sun powered schemes, it's not actually bad at all, especially considering the amount of the Earth you'd have to cover to get enough electric to power the demands at current - it's just not worth it.

Cover africa in solar panels for a day and it would power the world for a year apparently.

[kaivalagi]

Cover africa in solar panels for a day and it would power the world for a year apparently.
Not all that practical though is it lol, now if we could have the tecnologies to transfer power wirelessly we could use solar cells on satellites maybe....

I still think we're not harnessing wave energy enough though...

[EssexDave]

Solar panels outside the atmosphere connected to the earth by a cable with a counterweight to keep the satellite in place. - Lots of power, just I believe we cannot build a cable capable of going to space!

[ClunkintheUK]

Carbon nano tube? still a little way off making one that big, but its a thought.

[timwilky]

A Fission nuclear power station produces about 6MW.

I think you need to think again. Ling Ao units 1&2 turbines back in about 2002 when I was last working on a nuclear project was producing near 1000 MW. I understand 3&4 are producing about 1500MW. And Hinkley Point C is designed to have a 1750MW conventional island

[ClunkintheUK]

D'oh, yeah, got the wrong order of magnitude. about 6GW for the plant.