In 2034, the initial experimental phase of the ITER nuclear fusion reactor in France’s Saint-Paul-lez Durance is scheduled to start. This is later than originally planned due to the pandemic and issues with certain components. Instead of a symbolic launch with a ‘bare’ machine for plasma testing, ITER director Pietro Barabaschi announced that the new plan involves experimenting with the plasma from the beginning to partially offset the delay.
The ultimate objective of the reactor is to produce energy through the fusion of hydrogen atoms, replicating the processes that occur on the Sun. The ITER project has brought together multiple countries, including the EU, USA, Russia, China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Since its inception in 2010, the project costs have been estimated to exceed 20 billion euros. While supporters of the project believe that nuclear fusion could offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy source, critics argue that renewable energy sources should take precedence.
Experts working on ITER emphasize that the delays in the project timeline were not unexpected considering the challenges posed by the pandemic and quality concerns with certain components. However, they caution that additional costs amounting to several billion euros may be incurred as a result of this amended project schedule. Despite these setbacks, supporters continue to work towards harnessing nuclear fusion’s power to generate clean and abundant energy for future generations.
Overall, while there are some concerns about delays and additional costs associated with this ambitious project, many experts remain optimistic about its potential benefits for humanity’s energy needs. With continued research and development efforts, nuclear fusion could become a viable alternative to fossil fuels and help mitigate climate change.