Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) wants to regulate the possible energy production from nuclear fusion in her own law.
Power plants based on nuclear fusion are seen as a future technology that could solve humanity’s energy problems – but this hope has been around for decades.
The minister wants Germany to be the first country in the world to legally regulate the framework conditions for this: “Companies and investors need legal and planning certainty,” said the FDP politician to the editorial network Germany (RND/Montag). “That’s why we want innovation-friendly regulations.”
The existing nuclear law, for which Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) is responsible, is not suitable for this, said Stark-Watzinger, because it involves “different technologies with different risks”.
A corresponding pilot project for a legal framework should be started this year in close cooperation with science. The minister was optimistic that an economically viable fusion power plant could be connected to the grid in Germany “before the middle of the century”. This also makes sense with an expansion of renewable energies.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also recently suggested creating a better legal framework for nuclear fusion research in Europe. In nuclear fusion, unlike in reactors in conventional nuclear power plants, atomic nuclei are fused at extreme temperatures instead of splitting. Theoretically, enormous amounts of energy can be generated with this. There have been repeated reports of breakthroughs in research since the 1980s.
TrendingGreentech.LIVE Conference April 25-27, 2024 (Spring Edition) Nuclear fusion reactor Wendelstein 7-X Torushall-2011. Photo Wikipedia
Opportunities and risks of nuclear fusion as a potential new energy source:
Nuclear fusion as a potential new energy source presents both challenges and opportunities.
Technological complexity: The realization of controlled nuclear fusion requires highly complex technologies and systems that are not yet fully developed. In particular, maintaining a stable plasma state at extremely high temperatures and pressures represents a major challenge.
High costs: The research and development of nuclear fusion reactors is extremely costly. The cost of building a functioning reactor is enormous, and it is unclear whether these investments would pay off in the long term.
Material damage and radiation: The high levels of neutron radiation produced by nuclear fusion can cause structural damage to the reactor walls, which could limit the reactor’s lifespan.
Opportunities of nuclear fusion:
Environmental friendliness: Nuclear fusion would ideally provide a nearly emissions-free energy source because it produces no greenhouse gases and generates only small amounts of radioactive waste.
Unlimited Fuel Supply: The fuels for nuclear fusion, such as deuterium and tritium, are available in sufficient quantities on Earth and can be obtained from water and lithium, which is a much more sustainable energy source compared to fossil fuels.
Security potential: Compared to nuclear fission, the safety risks of nuclear fusion may be lower because it does not support chain reactions and does not produce long-term highly radioactive waste.
Limits of nuclear fusion:
Technological hurdles: The development of the technologies and materials required for nuclear fusion is extremely complex and requires significant investment and time.
Economic profitability: It is unclear whether the cost of developing and building nuclear fusion reactors will ever be economically viable, especially when compared to other renewable energies such as solar and wind energy.
Critics and studies:
Critics of nuclear fusion often point to the technical challenges to date and question the profitability and safety of this technology. They argue that the development of nuclear fusion is progressing too slowly and that previous successes are often exaggerated.
There are numerous studies addressing various aspects of nuclear fusion, from technological advances to economic analysis.
Some studies conclude that nuclear fusion could be a promising energy source in the long term, while others are more skeptical and point out the challenges that exist. Discussion and research in this area therefore continues to be intensive.