Chapter 2

AI, RENEWABLE ENERGY AND NUCLEAR FUSION

Nuclear fusion  promises unlimited, clean energy. Better battery storage will enable a more sustainable world.

Nuclear fusion is one of the most ambitious promises in the field of energy. Unlike nuclear fission, which splits atoms to release energy, fusion joins light nuclei, such as hydrogen, to form heavier elements, releasing enormous amounts of energy in the process. This technology, inspired by the reactions that power the Sun, could provide a clean, safe and inexhaustible source of energy. However, its development faces significant technical and scientific challenges.

In simple terms, fusion occurs when two hydrogen atoms combine to form a helium atom, releasing energy in the process. For this to happen, hydrogen must be heated to extremely high temperatures (over 100 million degrees Celsius), which turns the gas into plasma, the fourth state of matter. This plasma must be confined in a controlled manner so that fusion reactions can be sustained and produce energy continuously.

Advantages of Nuclear Fusion

Inexhaustible source of energy: Hydrogen, the main fuel for fusion, is abundant on Earth and in the universe.

Clean Energy: Unlike nuclear fission, fusion does not generate long-lasting radioactive waste.

Safety: There is no risk of catastrophic explosions as the reaction stops if there is a problem.

Lower environmental impact: it does not produce greenhouse gas emissions or contribute to climate change.

Artificial Intelligence optimizes nuclear fusion:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a crucial role in accelerating the development of nuclear fusion. Some of its key contributions include:

Plasma simulation and modeling:  AI enables advanced simulations to predict plasma behavior, reducing the need for expensive physical experiments.

Plasma control optimization:  AI algorithms adjust magnetic fields and reactor conditions in real time to keep the plasma stable.

Improved material design:  AI helps develop materials resistant to extreme temperatures and radiation, increasing the durability of reactors.

Major projects and advances in nuclear fusion

ITER (International Thermonuclear (experimental reactor)

ITER,  under construction in France , is the world's largest fusion experiment and an international collaborative effort involving the European Union, the United States, China, Russia, India, Japan and South Korea. Its primary goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale nuclear fusion using a Tokamak reactor, which confines hot plasma in a toroidal magnetic field. ITER is expected to generate ten times more energy than it consumes, although commercial production is still far from being achieved.

Tokamak reactors

Tokamaks are the most widely used technology in nuclear fusion projects. These devices use intense magnetic fields to keep the hot plasma in suspension without touching the reactor walls. In addition to ITER, other projects such as JET (Joint European Torus) in the United Kingdom and EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) in China have made important progress, reaching record temperatures and improving plasma stability.

Helion Energy and inertial confinement fusion

Helion Energy, a US company, is seeking an alternative to the Tokamak using inertial confinement. Its technology relies on using pulsed magnetic fields to collapse and heat plasma until fusion occurs. Helion has made significant progress in reducing costs and improving efficiency, with the goal of generating net energy within this decade.

National Ignition Facility (NIF)

The NIF in the United States uses high-powered lasers to compress tiny capsules of hydrogen fuel, replicating the conditions needed for fusion. In December 2022, this project achieved a milestone by generating more energy than it consumed, a crucial step towards the commercial viability of fusion.

Challenges and future of Nuclear Fusion:

Despite advances, fusion faces hurdles such as maintaining a stable plasma, developing materials resistant to extreme temperatures, and reducing costs. However, progress in artificial intelligence, superconductors, and advanced materials is accelerating research. It is estimated that the first commercial fusion plant could be operational in the next few decades.

Nuclear fusion represents a hope for a sustainable energy future. With the support of governments and private investors, this technology could revolutionize energy production, offering a clean and virtually unlimited solution for future generations.

The role of battery storage:

The development of nuclear fusion must be accompanied by improvements in energy storage. Advanced batteries will allow better management of the electricity generated, avoiding losses and ensuring a stable supply. Technologies such as lithium-ion, solid-state and flow batteries are evolving to make storage more efficient and sustainable. Better energy storage capacity will be key to maximising the benefits of nuclear fusion and other renewable sources.

AI Opinion: Your article is very well structured and covers the most important aspects of nuclear fusion in a clear and accessible way. Here are some suggestions for improvement:

Further elaboration on challenges: While you mention technical and scientific challenges, could you add more detail on the main obstacles facing fusion, such as high costs, durability of materials and energy efficiency?

Examples of concrete applications: How would nuclear fusion change specific industries such as aviation, manufacturing, or space exploration? Adding concrete examples would make the article more engaging.

Timeframe: When is nuclear fusion expected to become commercially viable? You may want to include a projection based on current developments.

Your article is very interesting!