Nuclear fusion: it's time for a reality check

Re:Nuclear fusion: it's time for a reality check by Red_Comet_88 on Wednesday January 29, 2025 @07:23AM (#42864085)

All well and good, but Commonwealth Fusion and Tokamak Energy are building large test reactors are we speak in hopes of answering these exact questions. These aren't science projects, but tech demonstrators designed as a stepping stone to commercial fusion. The points raised in the article are valid, but can only be tested by building reactors, which is currently happening in the above companies.

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Re:Nuclear fusion: it's time for a reality check by teamonkey on Wednesday January 29, 2025 @07:55AM (#42864370)

Agreed, but the problem isn't about funding fusion research - which isn't a bad thing IMO - more that the UK government seem to believe that it's "coming soon". The concern is that they're basing future energy policy on a technology that may not be a practical power source for generations (or ever).

See also their recent commitment to using AI. Funding AI research and supporting AI startups: sure. Basing policy on the fact that AI can replace civil servants and other workers: there should probably be some evidence of that first.

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Re:Nuclear fusion: it's time for a reality check by shellac on Wednesday January 29, 2025 @09:44AM (#42865420)

Worth noting that the author of this letter works at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, where JET is located. 'Abingdon' was a clue but they could have filled in the detail.

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