Throughout the past five decades, research and development in the world of nuclear fusion has been led by large publicly funded national laboratories. Currently, fusion energy technology development is being embraced by small, fast-moving start-up companies.
This edited book provides an overview of the commercialisation of fusion energy technology, stressing the role to be played by small businesses and the ongoing importance of public sector efforts. All chapters were peer-reviewed by experts before publication to ensure the reliability of the scientific content. The editors are of the opinion that "there is a need for a good overview of a complex phenomenon that has the potential to transform fusion energy research after decades of leadership by governmental and inter-governmental efforts." The book addresses not only the science and technology of fusion commercialisation, but also the associated innovation management. The first section of the book provides an introduction to private fusion and explains that the marketed product will not necessarily be electricity. The policy context of a global need for decarbonisation is introduced and compared to the timescales of fusion commercialisation. The second section introduces some of the leading private sector initiatives in fusion from around the world. Then, the third section outlines the public sector's ongoing efforts toward commercialisation. And finally, the fourth section discusses the challenges and future opportunities of private fusion.
Key Features
- This book tells a story about a technology in transition
- Provides an overview of the commercialisation of fusion energy technology, stressing the emerging role being played by small businesses
- Explores not only the science and technology behind fusion commercialisation but also innovation management
- Suitable for both academic and non-academic researchers and scholars
Author(s): William Nuttall, David Webbe-Wood, Satoshi Konishi, Shutaro Takeda
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Year: 2021
Language: English
Pages: 245
City: Bristol
PRELIMS.pdf
Preface
Editor biographies
William J Nuttall
Satoshi Konishi
Shutaro Takeda
David Webbe-Wood
List of contributors
CH001.pdf
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 What is nuclear fusion?
1.3 Purpose and structure of this book
References
CH002.pdf
Chapter
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Three key conceptual spaces for fusion reactors: MCF, ICF and MIF
2.2.1 Magnetic confinement fusion
2.2.2 Inertial confinement fusion (ICF)
2.2.3 Magneto-inertial fusion (MIF)
2.3 Concept-specific engineering challenges for MCF, ICF and MIF
2.3.1 Plasma production and control
2.3.2 Fuelling and exhaust systems
2.3.3 Diagnostics
2.4 Summary
Supplementary Tables
References
CH003.pdf
Chapter 3 Considerations for commercialization strategies for fusion energy
3.1 Introduction
3.1.1 Background
3.1.2 Content of this chapter
3.2 Future market
3.2.1 Energy demand forecasts
3.2.2 The role of nuclear fusion in climate change mitigations
3.2.3 Future market for fusion energy systems
3.3 Commercialization pathways
3.3.1 Four commercialization pathways
3.3.2 The benefits and the risks of spinoff businesses
3.3.3 Technology readiness level
3.3.4 Investment strategies for fusion enterprises
3.4 Fusion power core design methodology
3.5 Constraints
3.6 Conclusions
Acknowledgment
References
CH004.pdf
Chapter 4 Funding and financing commercial fusion power plants
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Possible sources of funding
4.2.1 Provision of funds by a commercial operator
4.2.2 Funds provided by a bank or similar investor
4.2.3 Funding provided by government
4.2.4 Funds provided by the consumer
4.3 Sources of income
4.3.1 Income from sale of electricity
4.3.2 Income from other uses of the energy
4.4 Conclusions
Acknowledgment
References
CH005.pdf
Chapter
5.1 The case for fusion energy
5.2 The Tokamak Energy approach—spherical tokamaks and high temperature superconductors
5.3 The combination of spherical tokamaks and high temperature superconductors
5.4 Progress so far
5.5 Future plans and business overview
5.6 Summary
References
CH006.pdf
Chapter 6 Laser fusion CANDY GPI/Hamamatsu
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Laser fusion activities in the world
6.2.1 How the laser fusion reactor generates power
6.2.2 Laser fusion activities and trends
6.3 Laser fusion activities in Hamamatsu
6.3.1 Why laser fusion in Hamamatsu?
6.3.2 Strategy of GPI
6.4 Laser fusion mini-reactor CANDY
6.4.1 Concept of CANDY
6.4.2 Laser technology
6.4.3 Plasma fuel physics
6.4.4 Target injection
6.5 Summary
Acknowledgments
References
CH007.pdf
Chapter 7 Pioneers of commercial fusion
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Private investment in fusion
7.2.1 Private investment into clean energy technology
7.2.2 Private investment in fusion: same but different
7.3 Private fusion companies
7.3.1 TAE Technologies
7.3.2 General Fusion
7.3.3 Lawrenceville Plasma Physics
7.3.4 MIFTI Fusion
7.3.5 First Light Fusion Ltd
7.3.6 Proton Scientific Inc.
7.3.7 Helion Energy
7.3.8 Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works
7.3.9 CTFusion
7.3.10 Agni Fusion
7.3.11 Commonwealth Fusion Systems
7.3.12 Compact Fusion Systems
7.3.13 Hyperjet Fusion
7.3.14 HB11 Energy
7.3.15 ZaP Energy
7.3.16 Marvel Fusion
7.3.17 Renaissance Fusion
7.4 Discussion: the prospect of private fusion success
References
CH008.pdf
Chapter
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Three components towards fusion commercialization
8.3 The role of private fusion companies
8.4 STEP—spherical tokamak for energy production
8.5 Fusion power from a spherical tokamak plasma
8.6 Technical risks to commercial viability of a spherical tokamak
8.7 Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
CH009.pdf
Chapter 9 DEMO design activities and helical initiatives in Japan
9.1 Japan’s policy on fusion research and development
9.2 Status of tokamak DEMO design in Japan
9.3 Helical reactor design as alternatives
9.4 Issues towards commercialization
References
CH010.pdf
Chapter
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Engineering challenges to commercial fusion
10.2.1 Fusion reactor materials
10.2.2 Blankets for tritium breeding and power generation
10.2.3 Tritium handling systems
10.2.4 Waste management and remote handling
10.2.5 Balance of plant systems
10.3 Fusion innovation
10.3.1 Seeking successful fusion innovation
10.3.2 Commercial drivers for fusion
10.3.3 An innovation strategy for cooperative public and private sector fusion development
10.4 Conclusions
References
CH011.pdf
Chapter 11 Commercial opportunities for nuclear fusion
11.1 Introduction and historical origins
11.1.1 Fusion energy ambitions live in the shadow of nuclear fission success—1960s and 1970s
11.1.2 Atomic energy—the allure of electricity
11.1.3 Fusion follows fission’s footsteps
11.2 Civil fusion’s first success
11.3 The painful story of ‘cold fusion’
11.4 Looking ahead: fusion’s potential commercial attributes
11.5 Fusion can do better than electricity generation
11.6 The importance of net-zero and deep decarbonization
11.7 Non-electricity commercialization
11.7.1 Process heat applications
11.8 Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
CH012.pdf
Chapter 12 Fusion energy and carbon management
12.1 Fusion and carbon-based chemistry
12.2 Pyrolysis and gasification of biomass
12.3 Market for biofuel
12.4 Electricity generation by SOFC
12.5 Effect of subsidy
12.6 Fusion charcoal production
12.7 Market in carbon credits
12.8 Economic analyses of CCS
12.9 Carbon credit trading
12.10 Biomass feedstock and supply chain
12.10.1 Residential garbage and its collection
12.10.2 Agricultural by-products and their characteristics
12.11 Summary
References
CH013.pdf
Chapter 13 Conclusions
References
INDEX.pdf
Index
