“She blinded me with science”
Thomas Dolby
When I think about the word fusion, I’m typically considering restaurant options. But last week, I watched a webinar through the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and was enlightened about another cool solution: fusion energy.
The problem
Solar, wind, and other technologies are rapidly transitioning us away from fossil fuels. This is exciting. But we still need more sustainable sources to bridge the gap to net zero. Also, scientists agree that having a diverse energy grid is our best bet.
What is fusion energy?
In a word – physics. But don’t go away…there won’t be a test. And I will keep it simple. In a nutshell, fusion energy is created when the nuclei from two separate atoms come together to form one nucleus. The process involves electric and magnetic fields, and the result is an electric change with tremendous power.
Fusion is:
- Clean – no fossil fuel emissions
- Safe – no nuclear waste
- Reliable – don’t need wind or sun
- Sustainable
- Scalable
The solution
The energy potential of fusion is massive. According to the Fusion Industry Association, there are 35 companies racing to develop the commercial capability for fusion energy. The technology has been in the works for years and has proven elusive. But innovators are recently making solid progress.
Indeed, industry experts believe the technology will be ready to scale by 2035. If successful, the electricity generated by fusion energy could provide a meaningful addition to the exploding number of clean energy options at hand.
There is so much to be hopeful about, but we need to get the ball rolling faster to solve climate change.
Let’s do something about climate change. Learn about it. Think about it. Talk about it.