This is a very good summary of the explored technologies through the years. Thank you for posting.
I've had a passing interest in this for a few decades. I now see fusion research as a global scam/fraud, on the same order as climate change/green technologies (wind, solar, etc.), and more recently, covid research. While fusion research has some theoretical benefit in the name of science, all of these research topics require massive injections of capital in the form of grants. These researchers manage the grant monies by tailoring what their findings and publications report, to continue the gravy train. For example, climate "researchers" fraudulently manipulate data to conform to a narrative, such that they can continue to collect "global warming" grants and get published. It wasn't lost on me in this documentary that "climate change" and "carbon neutral" were mentioned more than once.
As this documentary also points out, none of the current designs are anywhere close to being commercially viable. All one has to do is look at the infrastructure and designs to understand the incalculable billions and billions of dollars spent on these experiments. The current goal for a fusion reaction is 400 seconds, but even that ridiculous number is years away. No one has yet achieved a reaction that is even close to matching the energy input.
I'll tell you why fusion is flawed. First of all, it is based upon commercially-exploitable electrical generation, similar to coal, gas, and fission technologies that have preceded it. This is not where the future of energy lies. You still have to transmit electricity over a vulnerable and delicate energy grid...a weak link in the chain. The future of energy is in smaller, portable generators that can individually power a home or commercial installation, or vehicles/spacecraft. A fusion installation as shown is based upon an outdated model -- a giant monstrosity that sits on a multi-acre plot of ground. They are built to try to contain a reaction that will destroy any element known to man by a million degrees. The magnetic suspension helps keep the heat away from the collectors, but the reactors will require periodic rebuilding and commensurate down-time.
Secondly, at its core, all fusion strives to do is power a "heat engine" to generate electricity. The containment device heats up, and transfers the heat energy to steam turbines. Really? All that technology just to create steam? There is a method to directly convert plasma ions to electricity, but it is only about 50% efficient. With a technology that struggles to even match the energy input, let alone exceed it, it can't afford the losses of a 50% conversion efficiency.
Unfortunately, fusion is yet another method to siphon wealth from Western nations, into something that will never provide an adequate return. We can do better. The acres and acres of rotting EVs that no one will ever own or drive is proof that the global cabal driving these investments must be eliminated.
Excellent post, i suppose if you re part of those groups who wasted 10 years of your life studying and not doing you will end up with a Phd and no job.
Hence Research grants to keep the fuckers of the streets
One thing I didn't mention in my post is the massive "brain drain" on the global potential as a result of this fusion hamster wheel. Not just scientists, but engineers, specialty component manufacturing, etc., etc. What could be accomplished on a global scale if we were focused upon other projects with better capitalization and realistic expectations? Why should the world pay for essentially throwing money and resources away?
This is a very good summary of the explored technologies through the years. Thank you for posting.
I've had a passing interest in this for a few decades. I now see fusion research as a global scam/fraud, on the same order as climate change/green technologies (wind, solar, etc.), and more recently, covid research. While fusion research has some theoretical benefit in the name of science, all of these research topics require massive injections of capital in the form of grants. These researchers manage the grant monies by tailoring what their findings and publications report, to continue the gravy train. For example, climate "researchers" fraudulently manipulate data to conform to a narrative, such that they can continue to collect "global warming" grants and get published. It wasn't lost on me in this documentary that "climate change" and "carbon neutral" were mentioned more than once.
As this documentary also points out, none of the current designs are anywhere close to being commercially viable. All one has to do is look at the infrastructure and designs to understand the incalculable billions and billions of dollars spent on these experiments. The current goal for a fusion reaction is 400 seconds, but even that ridiculous number is years away. No one has yet achieved a reaction that is even close to matching the energy input.
I'll tell you why fusion is flawed. First of all, it is based upon commercially-exploitable electrical generation, similar to coal, gas, and fission technologies that have preceded it. This is not where the future of energy lies. You still have to transmit electricity over a vulnerable and delicate energy grid...a weak link in the chain. The future of energy is in smaller, portable generators that can individually power a home or commercial installation, or vehicles/spacecraft. A fusion installation as shown is based upon an outdated model -- a giant monstrosity that sits on a multi-acre plot of ground. They are built to try to contain a reaction that will destroy any element known to man by a million degrees. The magnetic suspension helps keep the heat away from the collectors, but the reactors will require periodic rebuilding and commensurate down-time.
Secondly, at its core, all fusion strives to do is power a "heat engine" to generate electricity. The containment device heats up, and transfers the heat energy to steam turbines. Really? All that technology just to create steam? There is a method to directly convert plasma ions to electricity, but it is only about 50% efficient. With a technology that struggles to even match the energy input, let alone exceed it, it can't afford the losses of a 50% conversion efficiency.
Unfortunately, fusion is yet another method to siphon wealth from Western nations, into something that will never provide an adequate return. We can do better. The acres and acres of rotting EVs that no one will ever own or drive is proof that the global cabal driving these investments must be eliminated.
Excellent post, i suppose if you re part of those groups who wasted 10 years of your life studying and not doing you will end up with a Phd and no job. Hence Research grants to keep the fuckers of the streets
One thing I didn't mention in my post is the massive "brain drain" on the global potential as a result of this fusion hamster wheel. Not just scientists, but engineers, specialty component manufacturing, etc., etc. What could be accomplished on a global scale if we were focused upon other projects with better capitalization and realistic expectations? Why should the world pay for essentially throwing money and resources away?