[Politics] Nuclear Fusion

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

One of Truss' front bench spokesman announced during Nicky Campbell's programme that Truss would make an announcement on nuclear fusion (as part of our energy plans) this morning, on the back of an 'important discovery' last year.

I can remember Pons and Fleishman's demonstration of nuclear fusion some years ago. It transpired to be somewhat apocryphal.

However, things have come along a bit. If you build an massive machine you can boil 60 kettles:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60312633

And yesterday it was indeed announced we will build a fusion reactor.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-63119465

The hope is that it will be operational in the 2040s.

I will await Truss' update this morning with interest.

 

[AmexRuislip]

There's me thinking you've discovered a new band

 

[heathgate]

Oh no, clean energy source??!!.... what the hell will the green lobby have to moan about?...

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[CHAPPERS]

Meanwhile...


[tweet]1577540693853147137[/tweet]

 

[B-right-on]

Out of all the options, nuclear power seems to be one of the best from my limited understanding.

Takes 18 years to build one per that, but unless we start now, there won't be one on line in 2040.

 

[Braggfan]

One of Truss' front bench spokesman announced during Nicky Campbell's programme that Truss would make an announcement on nuclear fusion (as part of our energy plans) this morning, on the back of an 'important discovery' last year.

I can remember Pons and Fleishman's demonstration of nuclear fusion some years ago. It transpired to be somewhat apocryphal.

However, things have come along a bit. If you build an massive machine you can boil 60 kettles:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60312633

And yesterday it was indeed announced we will build a fusion reactor.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-63119465

The hope is that it will be operational in the 2040s.

I will await Truss' update this morning with interest.

It's certainly will be interesting. The possibilities that Nuclear Fusion presents has always given the impression that its arrival will herald the dawn of a new era for humanity. With everything that's going on in the world at the moment, Humanity as whole could do with a win for a change, or at least some hope that a win is on the horizon.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Out of all the options, nuclear power seems to be one of the best from my limited understanding.

Takes 18 years to build one per that, but unless we start now, there won't be one on line in 2040.

The difference between fusion and fission would be a good place to start.

 

[beorhthelm]

very nice to see us pushing forward with a prototype.

what we really need to see is a committment now to modular reactors, deploying a proven technology. quite pointless continuing to commit to removing gas without a foundation of dispatchable power to replace it.

 

[hart's shirt]

I will await Truss' update this morning with interest.

Less fusion, more confusion.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Meanwhile...


[tweet]1577540693853147137[/tweet]

Shoreham is where it’s at

 

[Titanic]

Meanwhile...


[tweet]1577540693853147137[/tweet]

We need to change the way this is charged for... smart pricing... make it cheap when we are producing loads of wind/wave etc... and demand is low. Encourage people to use it then, and not at peak times, which is what drives the ridiculous high tariffs at the moment.

 

[Igzilla]

We've been 30 years away from a working nuclear fusion reactor for the past 60 years...

 

[Greg Bobkin]

There's me thinking you've discovered a new band

I thought it was a potential January SINGING... #CanHePlayLeftBack

 

[Fungus]

What have they said about reducing demand, through insulation and building regs, etc?

 

[BrianB]

One source of energy this island has in bucketloads 24/7/365 that could be tapped without fail....
Tidal Power ...
And not particularly difficult to harness if done properly.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

I think i'm right in saying that science has never managed to get more energy out of nuclear fusion than they've put in.

So it's not a question of just saying they'll wave a wand and build it. At the moment the science isn't ready. I'd be very much in favour of a large investment in the R&D as whoever does crack it will have discovered the long term solution to providing humans with all the energy they will ever need

 

[Iggle Piggle]

They might as well announce they are building a spaceship capable of Warp 9 or a time machine in the form of a Dolorian if they are going down the total bullshit route.

 

[Gwylan]

One source of energy this island has in bucketloads 24/7/365 that could be tapped without fail....
Tidal Power ...
And not particularly difficult to harness if done properly.

The government scrapped the Swansea Bay Tidal Project in 2018, saying that it would cost too much.
However, it would certainly have proved cheaper than a projected fusion reactor ... and probably more viable too.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

We've been 30 years away from a working nuclear fusion reactor for the past 60 years...

Exactly. It sounds very promising that a nuclear fusion plant is going to be built in Nottingham but the fusion announcement is great news but sadly it won't help in our battle to lessen the effects of climate change.

There's huge uncertainty about when fusion power will be ready for commercialisation. One estimate suggests maybe 20 years. Then fusion would need to scale up, which would mean a delay of perhaps another few decades. (copied and pasted from the article below)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60312633

 

[1066familyman]

The difference between fusion and fission would be a good place to start.

Funnily enough I listened to a programme on Radio 4 about this the other week.
The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry -
The Puzzle of The Plasma Doughnut

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001c6g4