The Briefing Room

General Category => Science, Technology and Knowledge => Energy => Topic started by: rangerrebew on March 12, 2018, 01:39:09 pm

Title: Scientists: Fusion Power Could Be on the Grid in 15 Years
Post by: rangerrebew on March 12, 2018, 01:39:09 pm: Scientists: Fusion Power Could Be on the Grid in 15 Years

A new superconducting material and ridiciously powerful magnets are potentially the key to a power revolution.
By Eric Limer
Mar 9, 2018

While fusion energy is simple in theory, it's ridiculously difficult in practice. Not only is it challenging to maintain the precise magnetic field required to contain plasma heated to millions of degrees, you also need to protect the inside of the reactor from destructive bubbles of helium, all while ensuring that the reaction can be sustained and actually generate more energy than it needs. MIT and CFS are hoping to facilitate a leap forward on several of these problems at once with a new superconducting material that will help make more efficient magnets to control the plasma.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a19299044/scientists-fusion-power-could-be-on-the-grid-in-15-years/ (https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a19299044/scientists-fusion-power-could-be-on-the-grid-in-15-years/)
Title: Re: Scientists: Fusion Power Could Be on the Grid in 15 Years
Post by: Joe Wooten on March 12, 2018, 02:27:01 pm: Now, where have I heard that line before??????
Title: Re: Scientists: Fusion Power Could Be on the Grid in 15 Years
Post by: thackney on March 12, 2018, 02:49:17 pm: Quote from: Joe Wooten on March 12, 2018, 02:27:01 pm
Now, where have I heard that line before??????

Getting closer. 40 years ago it was 20 years away. now it is 15. Just 120 more years at this rate.
Title: Re: Scientists: Fusion Power Could Be on the Grid in 15 Years
Post by: guitar4jesus on March 12, 2018, 02:51:26 pm: Quote from: thackney on March 12, 2018, 02:49:17 pm
Getting closer. 40 years ago it was 20 years away. now it is 15. Just 120 more years at this rate.

000hehehehe
Title: Re: Scientists: Fusion Power Could Be on the Grid in 15 Years
Post by: IsailedawayfromFR on March 12, 2018, 04:03:20 pm: Quote from: thackney on March 12, 2018, 02:49:17 pm
Getting closer. 40 years ago it was 20 years away. now it is 15. Just 120 more years at this rate.
Found another article from MIT that said the goal was to produce a working pilot plant in 15 years. Who knows when or if a real operational plant will take place?

The popular mechanics article is exaggerating what is taking place. No surprise.

http://news.mit.edu/2018/mit-newly-formed-company-launch-novel-approach-fusion-power-0309 (http://news.mit.edu/2018/mit-newly-formed-company-launch-novel-approach-fusion-power-0309)
Title: Re: Scientists: Fusion Power Could Be on the Grid in 15 Years
Post by: Taxcontrol on March 13, 2018, 02:41:22 pm: I am more interested in Thorium power. Especially if used to turn coal into liquid fuels. This would play into two of America's greatest natural resources.
Title: Re: Scientists: Fusion Power Could Be on the Grid in 15 Years
Post by: bolobaby on March 13, 2018, 03:12:45 pm: Or it could not.

Very informative.
Title: Re: Scientists: Fusion Power Could Be on the Grid in 15 Years
Post by: Joe Wooten on March 13, 2018, 03:42:45 pm: Quote from: Taxcontrol on March 13, 2018, 02:41:22 pm
I am more interested in Thorium power. Especially if used to turn coal into liquid fuels. This would play into two of America's greatest natural resources.

The biggest obstacle to thorium power plants is getting the mining and fuel fabrication facilities built. Current fission plants' infrastructure bootstrapped off of military weapons infrastructure.
Title: Re: Scientists: Fusion Power Could Be on the Grid in 15 Years
Post by: Cyber Liberty on March 13, 2018, 04:52:15 pm: I don't see it. The Greenie Weenies would tie a thing like this up in court for at least 20 years, and there isn't even a pilot plant yet. I don't think there's such a thing on paper, even...