UK Researchers Achieve Breakthrough in Fusion Energy Stability

A team of scientists at the UK Atomic Energy Authority has achieved a significant breakthrough in nuclear fusion research by successfully stabilizing plasma using innovative 3D magnetic coils. This world-first experiment marks a crucial step toward overcoming one of the major challenges in harnessing fusion energy, which has the potential to provide virtually limitless energy for future generations.

The experiment took place at the MAST Upgrade, the largest spherical tokamak currently in operation, located at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in Oxfordshire. Commissioned by the UKAEA and the European Atomic Energy Community, MAST Upgrade began operations in 2020 and has focused on advancing fusion technology.

Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the sun, where two lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing vast amounts of energy in the process. The tokamak uses powerful magnets to control and stabilize the hot plasma necessary for these reactions. However, maintaining plasma stability has been a significant hurdle, as fluctuations in pressure, density, or current can lead to instability, potentially damaging expensive equipment.

The recent success involved the application of Resonant Magnetic Perturbation (RMP) coils, which effectively suppressed Edge Localized Modes (ELMs) within the MAST Upgrade machine. ELMs are instabilities that can occur at the plasma’s edge, posing risks to the integrity of fusion reactors. This is the first instance where suppression of ELMs has been documented in a spherical tokamak.

James Harrison, Head of MAST Upgrade Science at UKAEA, described this achievement as a “landmark” moment in fusion research. He emphasized the importance of adapting advanced control techniques, initially developed for conventional tokamaks, to compact configurations. This progress lays the groundwork for future fusion power plants, such as the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) project, which aims to generate net electricity from fusion by 2040.

The experiment was conducted during MAST Upgrade’s fourth scientific campaign, which primarily focused on plasma properties and exhaust control. The findings are expected to play a crucial role in addressing ELM issues, reinforcing the viability of nuclear fusion as a sustainable energy source. This research aligns with the £2.5 billion investment by the UK government aimed at making fusion energy a practical reality.

As scientists continue to refine their methods and technologies, the advances made at the MAST Upgrade represent a promising leap forward in the quest for clean, abundant energy through nuclear fusion.