Energy Biz – Nuclear Fusion’s Power Reverberates
Energy Biz – Nuclear Fusion’s Power Reverberates
By Ken Silverstein | 08 February 2012
Whether it’s the 21st Century’s version of Stars Wars is yet to be seen. But advocates of nuclear fusion are saying that it would be life-changing while politicos are helping to bring it one step closer to reality.
Fusion is responsible for powering the sun and stars. So, the ultimate goal is to imitate that process on earth. Indeed, the countries bankrolling the science hope to have a reactor erected in France by 2019 — one that could be replicated so as to produce electricity at commercial scale. To that end, the European Commission has drafted a plan to inject $1.7 billion into the so-called international nuclear fusion project, or ITER, to 2018.
“ITER is a major step towards the demonstration of fusion as a sustainable energy source,” the EC said after its agreement to keep financing the reactor. “Due to its important advantages, such as the availability of large fuel reserves and the lack of CO2 emissions, fusion could greatly contribute to the long-term EU energy strategy … in a safe, efficient and secure way.”
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