Fusion power refers to power generated
by nuclear fusion reactions. In this kind of reaction,
two light atomic nuclei fuse together to form a heavier
nucleus and release energy. In a more general sense, the
term can also refer to the production of net usable power
from a fusion source, similar to the usage of the term
"steam power." Most design studies for fusion
power plants involve using the fusion reactions to create
heat, which is then used to operate a steam turbine, similar
to most coal-fired power stations as well as fission-driven
nuclear power stations.
A fusion reactor will heat plasma to
temperatures which are ten times those in the core of
the sun. Harnessing such extremes in an engineered "bottle"
will take many decades, and ultimately may not be practical.
An editorial in New Scientist magazine explained that
"if commercial fusion is viable, it may well be a
century away."
The largest current experiment, JET,
has resulted in fusion power production slightly less
than the power put into the plasma, maintaining an output
of 16 MW for a few seconds. In June 2005, the construction
of the experimental reactor ITER, designed to produce
several times more fusion power than the power put into
the plasma over many minutes, was announced. The production
of net electrical power from fusion is planned for DEMO,
the next generation experiment after ITER.
