Nuclear fusion breakthrough validates science and strengthens case for public and private support
CATF issued the following statement from Executive Director Armond Cohen in response to today’s nuclear fusion net-energy gain announcement from U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.
“CATF applauds the important milestone of reaching net fusion by the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Labs. This is a major step in validating the science of fusion energy and providing another important option for generating clean energy that’s available 24/7/365. It should further spur public and private support for developing the multiple commercial efforts which are under incubation, and include a variety of different designs.
That said, much has to happen for fusion to reach commercial viability. Many new approaches are looking to significantly reduce the costs that have been associated with the large fusion science demonstration projects like the NIF and the International Experimental Thermonuclear Reactor (ITER) – the international effort aimed at developing a commercial tokamak reactor. One such example, magneto inertial fusion, would reduce the energy inputs of the ignition approach by the NIF and reduce the capital costs associated with the large tokamak reactor undertaken by ITER. Such approaches can help accelerate both additional science and commercial demonstration efforts.”
To learn more about CATF’s work on advanced nuclear energy and fusion energy.
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About Clean Air Task Force
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With 25 years of internationally recognized expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world. Visit catf.us and follow @cleanaircatf.
