Commercialising Fusion Energy: How Small Businesses are Transforming Big Science

Description

Throughout the past five decades, research and development in the world of nuclear fusion has been led by large publicly funded national laboratories. Currently, fusion energy technology development is being embraced by small, fast-moving start-up companies. This edited book provides an overview of the commercialisation of fusion energy technology, stressing the role to be played by small businesses and the ongoing importance of public sector efforts. All chapters were peer-reviewed by experts before publication to ensure the reliability of the scientific content. The editors are of the opinion that "there is a need for a good overview of a complex phenomenon that has the potential to transform fusion energy research after decades of leadership by governmental and inter-governmental efforts." The book addresses not only the science and technology of fusion commercialisation, but also the associated innovation management. The first section of the book provides an introduction to private fusion and explains that the marketed product will not necessarily be electricity. The policy context of a global need for decarbonisation is introduced and compared to the timescales of fusion commercialisation. The second section introduces some of the leading private sector initiatives in fusion from around the world. Then, the third section outlines the public sector's ongoing efforts toward commercialisation. And finally, the fourth section discusses the challenges and future opportunities of private fusion. Key Features This book tells a story about a technology in transitionProvides an overview of the commercialisation of fusion energy technology, stressing the emerging role being played by small businessesExplores not only the science and technology behind fusion commercialisation but also innovation managementSuitable for both academic and non-academic researchers and scholars PRELIMS.pdf Preface Editor biographies William J Nuttall Satoshi Konishi Shutaro Takeda David Webbe-Wood List of contributors CH001.pdf Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Background 1.2 What is nuclear fusion? 1.3 Purpose and structure of this book References CH002.pdf Chapter 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Three key conceptual spaces for fusion reactors: MCF, ICF and MIF 2.2.1 Magnetic confinement fusion 2.2.2 Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) 2.2.3 Magneto-inertial fusion (MIF) 2.3 Concept-specific engineering challenges for MCF, ICF and MIF 2.3.1 Plasma production and control 2.3.2 Fuelling and exhaust systems 2.3.3 Diagnostics 2.4 Summary Supplementary Tables References CH003.pdf Chapter 3 Considerations for commercialization strategies for fusion energy 3.1 Introduction 3.1.1 Background 3.1.2 Content of this chapter 3.2 Future market 3.2.1 Energy demand forecasts 3.2.2 The role of nuclear fusion in climate change mitigations 3.2.3 Future market for fusion energy systems 3.3 Commercialization pathways 3.3.1 Four commercialization pathways 3.3.2 The benefits and the risks of spinoff businesses 3.3.3 Technology readiness level 3.3.4 Investment strategies for fusion enterprises 3.4 Fusion power core design methodology 3.5 Constraints 3.6 Conclusions Acknowledgment References CH004.pdf Chapter 4 Funding and financing commercial fusion power plants 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Possible sources of funding 4.2.1 Provision of funds by a commercial operator 4.2.2 Funds provided by a bank or similar investor 4.2.3 Funding provided by government 4.2.4 Funds provided by the consumer 4.3 Sources of income 4.3.1 Income from sale of electricity 4.3.2 Income from other uses of the energy 4.4 Conclusions Acknowledgment References CH005.pdf Chapter 5.1 The case for fusion energy 5.2 The Tokamak Energy approach—spherical tokamaks and high temperature superconductors 5.3 The combination of spherical tokamaks and high temperature superconductors 5.4 Progress so far 5.5 Future plans and business overview 5.6 Summary References CH006.pdf Chapter 6 Laser fusion CANDY GPI/Hamamatsu 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Laser fusion activities in the world 6.2.1 How the laser fusion reactor generates power 6.2.2 Laser fusion activities and trends 6.3 Laser fusion activities in Hamamatsu 6.3.1 Why laser fusion in Hamamatsu? 6.3.2 Strategy of GPI 6.4 Laser fusion mini-reactor CANDY 6.4.1 Concept of CANDY 6.4.2 Laser technology 6.4.3 Plasma fuel physics 6.4.4 Target injection 6.5 Summary Acknowledgments References CH007.pdf Chapter 7 Pioneers of commercial fusion 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Private investment in fusion 7.2.1 Private investment into clean energy technology 7.2.2 Private investment in fusion: same but different 7.3 Private fusion companies 7.3.1 TAE Technologies 7.3.2 General Fusion 7.3.3 Lawrenceville Plasma Physics 7.3.4 MIFTI Fusion 7.3.5 First Light Fusion Ltd 7.3.6 Proton Scientific Inc. 7.3.7 Helion Energy 7.3.8 Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works 7.3.9 CTFusion 7.3.10 Agni Fusion 7.3.11 Commonwealth Fusion Systems 7.3.12 Compact Fusion Systems 7.3.13 Hyperjet Fusion 7.3.14 HB11 Energy 7.3.15 ZaP Energy 7.3.16 Marvel Fusion 7.3.17 Renaissance Fusion 7.4 Discussion: the prospect of private fusion success References CH008.pdf Chapter 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Three components towards fusion commercialization 8.3 The role of private fusion companies 8.4 STEP—spherical tokamak for energy production 8.5 Fusion power from a spherical tokamak plasma 8.6 Technical risks to commercial viability of a spherical tokamak 8.7 Conclusions Acknowledgments References CH009.pdf Chapter 9 DEMO design activities and helical initiatives in Japan 9.1 Japan’s policy on fusion research and development 9.2 Status of tokamak DEMO design in Japan 9.3 Helical reactor design as alternatives 9.4 Issues towards commercialization References CH010.pdf Chapter 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Engineering challenges to commercial fusion 10.2.1 Fusion reactor materials 10.2.2 Blankets for tritium breeding and power generation 10.2.3 Tritium handling systems 10.2.4 Waste management and remote handling 10.2.5 Balance of plant systems 10.3 Fusion innovation 10.3.1 Seeking successful fusion innovation 10.3.2 Commercial drivers for fusion 10.3.3 An innovation strategy for cooperative public and private sector fusion development 10.4 Conclusions References CH011.pdf Chapter 11 Commercial opportunities for nuclear fusion 11.1 Introduction and historical origins 11.1.1 Fusion energy ambitions live in the shadow of nuclear fission success—1960s and 1970s 11.1.2 Atomic energy—the allure of electricity 11.1.3 Fusion follows fission’s footsteps 11.2 Civil fusion’s first success 11.3 The painful story of ‘cold fusion’ 11.4 Looking ahead: fusion’s potential commercial attributes 11.5 Fusion can do better than electricity generation 11.6 The importance of net-zero and deep decarbonization 11.7 Non-electricity commercialization 11.7.1 Process heat applications 11.8 Conclusions Acknowledgements References CH012.pdf Chapter 12 Fusion energy and carbon management 12.1 Fusion and carbon-based chemistry 12.2 Pyrolysis and gasification of biomass 12.3 Market for biofuel 12.4 Electricity generation by SOFC 12.5 Effect of subsidy 12.6 Fusion charcoal production 12.7 Market in carbon credits 12.8 Economic analyses of CCS 12.9 Carbon credit trading 12.10 Biomass feedstock and supply chain 12.10.1 Residential garbage and its collection 12.10.2 Agricultural by-products and their characteristics 12.11 Summary References CH013.pdf Chapter 13 Conclusions References INDEX.pdf Index