Plasma Physics Faculty Weigh in on the Future of Fusion Energy

Prof. Gerald Navratil was quoted in The New York Times article, “Inside the Quest to Make Fusion Energy a Reality: Start-ups say we’re closer than ever to near-limitless, zero-carbon energy from fusion. When will we get there?” by Raymond Zhong. Navratil was also quoted in the CNN Climate article, “A nuclear fusion startup just reached a milestone in its bid to commercialize unlimited clean energy,” by Laura Paddison.

Prof. Carlos Paz-Soldan was featured in the Nature news article, “ITER delay: what it means for nuclear fusion,” by Elizabeth Gibney. After ITER (the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor - a global scientific project to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion energy as a large-scale, carbon-free energy source) announced a 4-year delay to its major experiments, many speculate that they may not be the first to reach their goals. “If a private company achieved a sustained burning plasma at a fraction of ITER’s size, cost and complexity, that could change funders’ dedication to ITER,” says Paz-Soldan. “I do think the value proposition for ITER would require re-evaluation if this were to occur,” he says. “But I do not think now is the appropriate time to have this conversation.”