Energy for Future Centuries - Prospects for Fusion Power as a Future Energy Source

Abstract

The current power consumption and an estimate of the future energy needs of the world are discussed. The present energy supplies and prospects, the possible consequences of a continued massive fossil fuel consumption, and the potential of non-fossil candidates for long-term energy production are outlined. An introduction to the potential contribution of future fusion reactors is given. The resources, safety, environmental and economic aspects of magnetic fusion energy are discussed.

Meeting the world’s energy needs entirely with wind, water, and solar power

“…Fusion of light atomic nuclei (for example, protium, deuterium, or tritium) theoretically could supply power indefinitely without long-lived radioactive wastes (Ongena and Van Oost, 2006; Tokimatsu et al., 2003). However, fusion still would produce short-lived waste that must be removed from the reactor core to avoid interference with operations, and in any case fusion is unlikely to be commercially available for at least another 50 years (Moyer, 2010; Tokimatsu et al., 2003), although some fusion experts believe it could be available by 2050 ( Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists , 2013).…”

Fuel compression in the magnetized cylindrical implosion driven by a gold tube heated by heavy ion beams

“…In laser-drive ICF, there are central ignition schemes such as indirect-drive on NIF [13][14][15][16][17], direct-drive on OMEGA [18][19][20][21][22], and non-central ones such as fast ignition [23][24][25][26] and shock ignition [27][28][29][30], etc. Z-pinch is one application of Lorentz force [31,32].…”