Fusion Power

[Queenmandy85]

While we wait for the announcement from the US, we should stop and think that this could be one of the greatest moments in scientific endeavour. Fusion power could be the answer to the climate crisis. It could mean unlimited power around the globe in perpetuity. Or, it could be another cold fusion let down. Lets all hope for the best.

[Army Guy]

It is a great leap for sure, however lots of work still to be done, and should be ready in a couple decades. The question should be asked is it going to be acceptable to the environmentalists, and something we just turn up our noses at.

[Michael Hardner]

23 minutes ago, Army Guy said:

It is a great leap for sure, however lots of work still to be done, and should be ready in a couple decades. The question should be asked is it going to be acceptable to the environmentalists, and something we just turn up our noses at.

There appears to be no environmental drawback and an effective end to carbon in the atmosphere.

The only thing I would question is how the benefit will unfold to actual people.  Lots of fortunes stand to be ruined by this thing.

[eyeball]

53 minutes ago, Army Guy said:

It is a great leap for sure, however lots of work still to be done, and should be ready in a couple decades. The question should be asked is it going to be acceptable to the environmentalists, and something we just turn up our noses at.

What about the acceptability of religious people? Is fusion even moral? It seems a lot like trying to harness the power of God Himself.

Recall the last time humans tried to get closer to Him - we're still paying for that faux pas to this day.

/sarcasm off

Edited December 13, 2022 by eyeball

[LukeEdmunds62s]

On 12/13/2022 at 9:35 PM, eyeball said:

What about the acceptability of religious people? Is fusion even moral? It seems a lot like trying to harness the power of God Himself.

Recall the last time humans tried to get closer to Him - we're still paying for that faux pas to this day.

/sarcasm off

it is interesting

[OftenWrong]

You people have been duped by a game of (literally) smoke and mirrors between super-powers. Read the fine print to know what they mean.

China made a similar announcement about their research fusion reactor a few months before this one came out. Since China made the announcement the USA had to issue their own response.

The net energy gain only exists when comparing the power from fusion to the optical power of the lasers. Not including the electrical power of the power supplies and other building infrastructure needed to produce said laser power, which can be orders of magnitude higher than the power from the light itself. 

 

[myata]

So look at it this way:

1. We take water, a very stable neutral chemical element.

2. We put it in a chamber, do some magic to it et voila: a small sun, here, on Earth. Great! A virtually unlimited source of energy.

3. We improve and perfect the technology, make it net positive, in total not just the laser. Now we do have it, the artificial sun and in practical operation.

4. What happens next? No I'm not even talking about mishaps but thousands then millions of small suns transforming water.. to what? Sure no carbons thankfully, but what else is there, think, think? Yeah right the heat, heat energy, transfer, radiation and it will be there can't be avoided. So we take water and forget burning, turn it strait into heat. Still great?

While we think that we have a free, unlimited and absolutely harmless source of energy and burn it to our heart desire (as we will, believing it to be free and harmless) until... what? What have we solved here?

There's nothing special to the problem of carbon, it's the problem of balance with the environment, understanding it and maintaining it. Will burning water instead of oil and gas make it any easier?