France has upped the ante in the quest for fusion power by maintaining a plasma reaction for over 22 minutes – a new record. The milestone was reached on February 12 at the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) WEST Tokamak reactor.
Just explained this to my wife. This record (AND the Chinese record from January) is incredible. The fact that the next goal is sustaining a reaction for HOURS is amazing.
We might see fusion become reality this decade.
Here’s hoping! The impact on societal power dynamics (wordplay partially intended) could be massive. I’m not currently as optimistic as I’d like but, something long fusion energy could upend a lot of established power structures.