Fusion energy

Fusion energy - tomorrow's inexhaustible energy source

Fusion energy, which powers our sun and the stars, is released when light elements as, for example deuterium and tritium, fuse together.

Worldwide coordinated fusion research started in the late 1950s to find ways to use fusion as an energy source here on Earth. Risø has participated in fusion research since its very beginning, and the effort is an integrated part of the European program, through Euratom. This includes participation in the European fusion experiments, as e.g. JET (Joint European Torus) and contributions to the ITER project. ITER is a large-scale international scientific experiment that aims to demonstrate that it is possible to produce surplus of energy from fusion.

Fusion energy is a safe form of nuclear energy, which does not pollute the atmosphere with CO2 and other greenhouse gases. The fundamental "fuels" heavy hydrogen (deuterium) and lithium are found abundantly in seawater and in the earth's crust and will provide the world with energy in the many millions of years. The primary waste is the power plant. Power plants become radioactive, but the radioactivity will be gone after 100 years, and there will therefore be no need for long-term storage of waste.

The first commercial fusion power plants are expected towards the middle of this century.

Risø's actvities within fusion energy

About fusion energy


Jens Juul Rasmussen
Professor,
Plasma Physics and Technology Programme (PLF)
Dir tel+45 46774537