Fusion and STEP project

2019/10/21 Roa Zubia, Guillermo - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Fisika

The first, fission, consists of breaking two great atoms. This is how much energy is achieved, but it also generates many problems. Especially because the atom that breaks is radioactive and the two parts that form, the other two atoms, are radioactive and very harmful. And we don't know what to do with them.

The second, fusion, is the union of small atoms. Quite the opposite. More energy is generated than with fission. The Sun itself is continuously fusing hydrogen and atoms that are generated in the process give no problems. Only the helium is created. There is no problem of waste. The only problem is that at this time we do not know how to perform fusion.

There are many projects for fusion plants, but it is difficult. Very difficult. The best known project is the ITER project, a giant project launched among many countries. Yes, I have heard since I met ITER, that within 50 years we would have the fusion available. But ten years later, they said the same thing and ten years later the same thing. It seemed that they were not advancing. And that the difficulties were constantly emerging in the project.

At the beginning of this month another project has had an echo, the STEP project of the UK. The British announce a tremendous monetary investment and expect it to be operational in the early 2040s. On the other hand, the ITER project announced in 2016 that the first fusion experiments would take place by 2035, but no dates have been given to clarify when energy production will begin. Perhaps they have not dared.

In any case, what do we expect? It's hard to say so, but at least that 50 years of time has been reduced and we now have on the table dates close to 25. Who knows.