Rethinking the future of magnetic fusion: pushing too hard for energy breakeven now could cripple the program 10 years from now

Journal Article · Fri Sep 24 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.217.4566.1235· OSTI ID:6645632

Waldrop, M M

Budget cuts in fusion programs could limit research on the tokomak and linear tandem-mirror designs and preclude new alternative designs. With no guarantee that either design will reach the energy-breakeven point, unfunded alternatives will not be able to save the program. The Magnetic Fusion Advisory Committee (MFAC), formed in May 1982 to help DOE negotiate, heard arguments for throwing all efforts into proving the two mainline approaches and counterarguments for developing cheaper and safer alternatives. The history of the ELMO Bumpy Torus (EBT) proof-of-principle program illustrates the dilemma. New features in the tandem-mirror program do the same. Among the alternatives seeking research funds are the stellarator, the reversed-field pinch, and the compact-toroids concepts. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 6645632
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 217; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700000* -- Fusion Energy
BUDGETS
DESIGN
FINANCING
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS