Fusion before 2050: a net zero future powered by fusion? New possibilities for realising nuclear fusion before 2050

Author: Mustafa Iqbal

This paper provides an overview of the current state of nuclear fusion development and prospects for the future, including what governments and policymakers can do to enable further technological innovations.

Headlines

• Harnessing the energy-generating potential of the sun though nuclear fusion has the potential to provide a clean, zero carbon, reliable, and long-term energy source for humanity in the future.
• New and emerging technologies driven by the private sector are increasing the possibility of achieving commercially viable fusion in the next few decades. While not expected to be part of the energy system during this time frame, net energy production could be achieved by 2025 and commercial demonstration by the early 2030s.
• However, key technological barriers remain, specifically in plasma and materials science, tritium breeding and remote maintenance. To address these barriers, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero should seek increased collaboration with the rapidly innovating private sector, in addition to retaining and strengthening collaborative ties with academic institutions and other international partners.
• The UK is already a leader in fusion technology and strengthening this position could help the country take advantage of fusion’s massive potential in the future. A fleet of compact fusion power stations could supply the majority of global electricity and heat for both domestic and industrial purposes in the long term. Additionally, the electricity/heat from fusion power stations can be used to generate synthetic fuel that could be used for non-electrified forms of transport such as shipping and aviation. These synthetic fuels can also be burned to provide heat for industrial processes requiring extremely high temperatures.
• Even if the energy system has already been deeply decarbonised by the time fusion arrives, it can still play an important role in improving grid stability as a carbon neutral source of base load power that, in contrast to nuclear fission, does not produce long-lived radioactive waste.