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FROM EIR DAILY ALERT


New Momentum in Fusion Energy Research Should Get Federal Support

Dec. 10, 2018 (EIRNS)—Each year, Steve Dean, president of Fusion Power Associates, organizes a conference to review the status and advances, and future plans in fusion energy research, internationally. Dean established Fusion Power Associates in 1980, after a leadership career in the government fusion program.

This year’s conference was notable for two interrelated reasons. Dean reported that when attendance reached 100, he had to turn people away, because that was all that the room could hold. Last year, he said, he had about 80 registrants, and some 60 the year before—clearly an increasing interest in fusion research.

The substantial increase in funding over this year by the Congress undoubtedly helped, but whereas much of those attending for years have been the gray-haired leaders of the various fusion programs, this year, there has been an influx of younger, enthusiastic scientists and engineers. These are from the privately-funded start-ups, which according to one report, have raised $1 billion in private funds.

Although it is regarded as unlikely that the majority, or perhaps any, of the private companies will reach the goal of commercial fusion, most are carrying out valuable research, trying new, innovative approaches, and even picking up fruitful ideas that were never fully pursued due to funding cutoffs. These bring new ideas and enthusiasm into fusion research. In general, the new, small, private fusion companies have no illusions as to how difficult their task is, and have said outright that when they reach a certain level and size of experiment, they will need government support.

A new appointee to the Department of Energy Office of Science made very short impromptu remarks that were upbeat, telling the fusion scientists that their work “can change the world.” Perhaps this indicates a sea change in the Trump Administration’s view of fusion, and will result in an increase in funding, rather than a cut, as was the case with last year’s, Fiscal 2019 budget request.

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