Thanks for the update Jeff! I gotta say that you have really positive, likeable persona. If you go into research/engineering in the future, but the team needs someone to handle the communication part, consider that a possible strength to build on.
Under item 3, it is good to see a concise outline of the tritium problem. The fusion community in the past have I’m afraid tended to ignore the problems.
Agreed. I remember reading in the past that something like a hybrid approach with dedicated fissile breeding alongside fusion is more realistic. (Or was that about LFTRs?)
@@HiAdrian The problem with hybrid scenarios is that neither the fission nor the fusion communities like them. The former because they can do essentially the same with breeder reactors, which are a more mature technology, and the later because that defeats the prospect of a cleaner (although not entirely clean) source of nuclear energy. News #4 in this video is related: If you wish to make fusion economically feasible, you need to keep it separate from the usual fission reactors regulation.
The fusion community has always been aware of the problem. However, the tritium breeding concepts can hardly be tested without appropriate 14 MeV neutron sources. That's one of the reasons why a burning plasma experiment is badly needed.
I'd like to underline the importance of siting new plants in the locations of decommissioned fossil fuel plants, as is being pursued by Type One in TN. The difficulties of connecting a new plant to the grid has been sufficient to derail wind farms. This is a cost issue, but also a NIMBY challenge as property owners often oppose running new power distribution lines. Since reutilizing existing infrastructure and sites is inherently greener than siting plants on green field sites, two thumbs up to Type One!
The tie-up between the U.K. and Canada is interesting since if they sew up the Canadian tritium supplies, eg for the planned U.K. STEP reactor, there could be precious little left for ITER.
Building and powering more and more powerful superconducting magnets for an unstable process that generates tritium and neutrons seems to be going in the wrong direction. It will be more sensible to use processes to generate charged particles that can be converted directly to electricity efficiently at 90% efficiency. Using neutrons to heat fluid to power turbines to generate electricity is at most 37% efficient.
Right. I've been hearing how Fusion Power was just 30 years away ever since I was a teenager and I am now 70 years old. The only thing fusion research has done is provided a good living for the researchers and equipment vendors. It will never happen in our or even our great grand children's lifetime. So far various laboratory experiements have touted "break throughs" and "gains" but these don't take into consideration the complete energy taken from the grid to run the experiment. When that is done they are far from any net energy gain, let alone a sustainable one. Dream on folks.
I have no comment this week except to praise your excellent coverage. This how fusion moves forward.
Nicely done. Hope you do more of these.
Thanks for the update Jeff! I gotta say that you have really positive, likeable persona. If you go into research/engineering in the future, but the team needs someone to handle the communication part, consider that a possible strength to build on.
Que bien dicho! Gracias por informarnos sobre esta tópica. Saludos desde Bilbao.
Thanks for this! I wish I knew about this account sooner. You have a new subscriber!
Under item 3, it is good to see a concise outline of the tritium problem. The fusion community in the past have I’m afraid tended to ignore the problems.
Agreed. I remember reading in the past that something like a hybrid approach with dedicated fissile breeding alongside fusion is more realistic. (Or was that about LFTRs?)
@@HiAdrian The problem with hybrid scenarios is that neither the fission nor the fusion communities like them. The former because they can do essentially the same with breeder reactors, which are a more mature technology, and the later because that defeats the prospect of a cleaner (although not entirely clean) source of nuclear energy. News #4 in this video is related: If you wish to make fusion economically feasible, you need to keep it separate from the usual fission reactors regulation.
The fusion community has always been aware of the problem. However, the tritium breeding concepts can hardly be tested without appropriate 14 MeV neutron sources. That's one of the reasons why a burning plasma experiment is badly needed.
@@jjeherreraOK I see, thanks for your insight!
I'd like to underline the importance of siting new plants in the locations of decommissioned fossil fuel plants, as is being pursued by Type One in TN. The difficulties of connecting a new plant to the grid has been sufficient to derail wind farms. This is a cost issue, but also a NIMBY challenge as property owners often oppose running new power distribution lines. Since reutilizing existing infrastructure and sites is inherently greener than siting plants on green field sites, two thumbs up to Type One!
The tie-up between the U.K. and Canada is interesting since if they sew up the Canadian tritium supplies, eg for the planned U.K. STEP reactor, there could be precious little left for ITER.
Hi! What do you know about KN 9 ? Nuclear battery , by Vladimir Vîrzob, 17 years, student from Romania.
Building and powering more and more powerful superconducting magnets for an unstable process that generates tritium and neutrons seems to be going in the wrong direction. It will be more sensible to use processes to generate charged particles that can be converted directly to electricity efficiently at 90% efficiency. Using neutrons to heat fluid to power turbines to generate electricity is at most 37% efficient.
Do cover Aneutronic Fusion and other types of fusion or is it just TokaMac and it’s twisted cousin.
Bonus news~
When my grandson grows up he will be hearing news about fusion energy: "Free energy finally right around the corner!"
Right. I've been hearing how Fusion Power was just 30 years away ever since I was a teenager and I am now 70 years old. The only thing fusion research has done is provided a good living for the researchers and equipment vendors. It will never happen in our or even our great grand children's lifetime. So far various laboratory experiements have touted "break throughs" and "gains" but these don't take into consideration the complete energy taken from the grid to run the experiment. When that is done they are far from any net energy gain, let alone a sustainable one. Dream on folks.
The television is sometime not understood its knowlege
Go physics! (We NEEEED you)