Scientists at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) have made significant progress in fusion energy research by stabilizing plasma using a world-first technique involving 3D magnetic coils. This breakthrough could pave the way for advancements in limitless energy generation, addressing one of the primary challenges in harnessing nuclear fusion.
Advancements in Plasma Stabilization
The research team successfully applied a three-dimensional magnetic field to a spherical tokamak, known as the MAST Upgrade, enabling them to stabilize plasma for the first time. This method directly tackles the issue of plasma instability, which has historically hindered the development of fusion energy as a viable power source.
Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the sun and stars, where two atoms collide to form a heavier nucleus, releasing vast amounts of energy. In a tokamak, powerful magnets are employed to control and stabilize the burning plasma essential for this reaction. The MAST Upgrade, operational since 2020 at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in Oxfordshire, is currently the largest spherical tokamak in use.
In order to achieve fusion within the MAST Upgrade, researchers confine fusion fuel at extremely high temperatures, creating plasma essential for the fusion reaction. However, fluctuations in pressure, density, or current can lead to plasma instability, which may adversely affect performance and potentially damage expensive tokamak components.
Suppressing Edge Localised Modes
In a press statement from the UK government, the UKAEA team detailed their use of Resonant Magnetic Perturbation (RMP) coils to completely suppress Edge Localised Modes (ELMs), a type of instability that occurs at the plasma edge and poses significant risks to the integrity of fusion plant components. According to the researchers, this marks the first time suppression of ELMs has been achieved in a spherical tokamak.
“Suppressing ELMs in a spherical tokamak is a landmark achievement,” stated James Harrison, Head of MAST Upgrade Science at UKAEA. “It is an important demonstration that advanced control techniques developed for conventional tokamaks can be successfully adapted to compact configurations to develop the scientific basis for future power plants like STEP, the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production.”
The recent experiment took place during the fourth scientific campaign of the MAST Upgrade, focusing on plasma properties and control of plasma exhaust. The findings from this research are expected to significantly contribute to overcoming ELM-related challenges, ultimately advancing nuclear fusion as a practical energy source. Additionally, these results will inform the design of future ELM control systems for the UK’s Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) program, which aims to produce net electricity from fusion by 2040.
The STEP initiative is part of a substantial £2.5 billion investment by the UK government, aimed at accelerating the development of fusion energy technology. This funding underscores the nation’s commitment to making fusion energy a reality and fulfilling its energy needs sustainably.
The research conducted by the UKAEA not only marks a crucial step forward in fusion energy but also highlights the potential for further innovations in clean energy generation. As scientists continue to refine and develop these technologies, the dream of limitless energy could soon become a tangible reality.
