Energy Security

[Freudian_Slit]

Zero emissions...............exactly what constitutes 'zero' emissions? That definition is important. A truly 'zero emission' system would be a closed loop system. Self-sustaining, perpetual motion if you will. Is there some radical discovery that will alter the laws of physics?

Ishmael

Typically refers to carbon emissions, though I imagine there are extensions which include any molecule resulting from human activity that act as radiative forcing agents. In any case, the earth isn't a closed system - both the sun and space act as massive heat source and sink.

 

[Freudian_Slit]

It's an exciting time in fusion energy research, both publicly driven and with hopeful startups. I'm not certain fusion research and development has ever been as robust as now. And it seems that just as with solar, much of the impetus is owed to the Chinese.

Setting aside the politically charged title of this article, there are some interesting facts.

While USA is distracted by its President's antics, China is busy breaking another fusion record

The experimental fusion system managed to maintain a stable plasma state for 101.2 seconds, with the temperature peaking at 50,000,000 Kelvin (89,999,540°F, 50,000,000°C), we're told. By contrast, the temperature at the core of our Sun is around 15,000,000 Kelvin (26,999,540°F, 15,000,000°C). This beats the previous sustained fusion record at this temperature, also held by the Chinese.

The EAST facility last year managed a sustained plasma burst for over a minute, and now the team has extended that. The eventual goal is to get a 1,000-second plasma reaction, after which the team will switch to new hardware with the intent of moving to a full working fusion reactor.

China has plowed more money than any other nation into fusion energy research, as well as contributing funds and scientific know-how to the much-delayed International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project. Germany too has had success, as has MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center in the US, although that facility has now shut down for lack of funds.

 

[phrodeau]

France will ban all fossil-fueled cars by 2040.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/06/france-ban-petrol-diesel-vehicles-2040/

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Good for France!


Let fake science dictate what your citizens can drive.


https://thsresearch.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/ef-gast-data-research-report-062717.pdf

 

[von_Bismarck]

Fusion energy tidbit:

Nuclear Fusion Reactor Reaches Temperatures Hotter Than Sun’s Core

ST40 Nuclear Fusion Reactor
Tokamak Energy's ST40 is the third device out of a five-step plan toward a goal of making nuclear fusion energy commercially available in the UK in 12 years.

"We aim to make fusion energy a commercial reality by 2030," CEO Jonathan Carling says.

The proliferation of fusion energy startups is suggestive of a Moore's law of fusion.

 

[Hypoxia]

Solar can be and is decentralized. Any property owner can put solar-electric panels on structures. Fusion, like fission well be very centralized. I doubt personal Tokamak reactors are in our future. Would be nice if I'm wrong there, yada yada.

Fission (it's still around and could get cleaner), and fusion (still remote), and solar (clean except in manufacturing), will likely drive storage battery technology. But don't expect internal or external combustion powerplants to vanish anytime soon.

 

[von_Bismarck]

Solar can be and is decentralized. Any property owner can put solar-electric panels on structures. Fusion, like fission well be very centralized. I doubt personal Tokamak reactors are in our future. Would be nice if I'm wrong there, yada yada.

It's entirely possible (I'm talking out of my ass, here) fusion energy could be miniaturized by some yet unknown technology. For high energy-density applications, nuclear isomer batteries might also be practical. But I maintain a robust energy portfolio is preferable. There's an Allam cycle pilot plant, a proof of concept, that uses liquid CO2 as a working fluid and recycles that CO2 - perfect for carbon neutral natural gas plants. I'm down with that, too, until fusion is ready for center stage alongside other renewables.

 

[trysail]

I'm talking out of my ass, here...

You said it.

The self description is apt.


​

 

[von_Bismarck]

You said it.

The self description is apt.


​

STFU, bigot.

 

[Hypoxia]

It's entirely possible (I'm talking out of my ass, here) fusion energy could be miniaturized by some yet unknown technology.

That's a nice hope. But not in any foreseeable future. Yeah, let's hypothesize fusion reactors the size of a refrigerator or toaster or fist. Could happen. Hold not thy breath.

I'm down with that, too, until fusion is ready for center stage alongside other renewables.

Fission and coal and petrocarbons are fossil fuels. Ain't being made anymore. What we call "renewable" are solar powered: hydro, tides, wind, biomass, all come from Sol.

I don't see fusion as renewable on Terra -- it destroys water. A long-term terrestrial fusion feed may require harvesting icy asteroids or scooping hydrogen from gas-giant planets. Fusion's pros are 1) it's clean and 2) it's fucking awesome, power-wise.

Cold fusion would be nice. Again, hold not thy breath. Or maybe let's tap methane from impoundments released as tundra thaws.

 

[von_Bismarck]

For all practical purposes, the supply of fusion fuel on Earth is renewable - on the order of millions of years, or longer than the time span of civilization by several orders of magnitude. You're right, though, that mining bodies in space for fusion fuel is a distinct possibility. I haven't seen any numbers recently, but with private space companies like SpaceX driving down the cost of getting into space, mining e.g. the lunar surface for tritium could become economical in the foreseeable future.