In a remarkable breakthrough, Energy Singularity, a Chinese company, has successfully constructed the world’s first high-temperature superconducting tokamak, named “HH70”. Located in the eastern region of Shanghai, this innovative device represents a huge step forward in China’s quest for clean, sustainable energy derived from nuclear fusion.
Nuclear Fusion: 4 Times More Energy Than Fission
As the world grapples with the intermittency of renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which are not always available when needed, fossil fuels remain the dominant energy source. While nuclear fission is an alternative that produces no carbon emissions, concerns about safety and the production of radioactive waste persist. Nuclear fusion, on the other hand, offers a much more attractive solution. It has the potential to produce four times more energy than fission, with minimal waste. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), fusion could revolutionize the global energy landscape, providing a near-limitless, clean energy source for future generations.
The Power of Tokamaks
Tokamaks are crucial in the pursuit of nuclear fusion. These donut-shaped devices are designed to contain plasma at extremely high temperatures to replicate the conditions inside the sun, where hydrogen atoms fuse into helium, releasing vast amounts of energy. Using powerful magnetic fields, tokamaks keep the plasma in check, preventing it from touching the walls of the reactor. This process holds the key to harnessing fusion energy and potentially changing the world’s energy landscape.
HH70: A Paradigm Shift
Not long ago, we discussed China’s HL-3 tokamak, another significant step in the country’s nuclear fusion ambitions. The HH70, however, represents a major leap forward by incorporating high-temperature superconducting magnets made from REBCO (Rare Earth Barium Copper Oxide). This innovation significantly reduces both the cost and size of traditional tokamaks, making the technology more affordable and opening the door to commercialization. While challenges remain—particularly in terms of achieving positive energy returns—the HH70 marks a critical moment in the development of nuclear fusion technology.
Technological Advancements and Future Ambitions
Energy Singularity has made remarkable strides in creating smaller, more cost-effective tokamaks, while maintaining their potential for commercialization. The company has set ambitious goals, planning to build a next-generation tokamak by 2027 and a technological demonstrator by 2030. Their long-term goal is to achieve a Q value of 10, meaning the reactor would produce ten times more energy than it consumes, a key milestone in making nuclear fusion a viable energy source.
Measuring Performance and Commercial Prospects
The performance of fusion reactors is typically measured by the Q value, which compares the energy generated by the fusion process with the energy required to sustain it. Currently, the highest Q value achieved stands at 1.53, but with HH70, Energy Singularity hopes to push this figure to new heights, setting the stage for a potential energy revolution. The ultimate challenge remains achieving commercial viability, but the HH70 marks a crucial turning point in the development of fusion energy. If successful, it could pave the way for a future where clean, virtually unlimited energy is within reach.