Introduction
Controlled nuclear fusion stands as humanity’s ultimate energy solution, offering abundant fuel, zero emissions, and unparalleled safety. With 1g of deuterium-tritium fusion releasing energy equivalent to 11.2 tons of coal, it far surpasses fission and fossil fuels, aligning with global "carbon neutrality" goals.
Key Technology Pathways
1. Magnetic Confinement Fusion (MCF)
- Tokamak: Dominates 90% of global research, achieving plasma temperatures over 100 million °C. Challenges include stability issues and high operational costs.
- Stellarator: Exemplified by Germany’s W7-X, it enables steady-state operation without plasma current, though at higher construction costs.
2. Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF)
- Laser-Driven: e.g., U.S. NIF and China’s "Shenguang" program, targeting uniform fuel compression via nanosecond laser pulses.
- Z-Pinch: Leverages pulsed magnetic fields for compression, as seen in China’s "Pulsed Power Dragon-I".
Industry Chain Breakdown
Upstream Materials & Components
- Superconductors: NbTi/Nb₃Sn wires (Western Superconducting) and REBCO tapes (Shanghai Superconductor).
- Radiation-Resistant Alloys: Tungsten-copper divertors (AT&M) and low-activation steels.
Midstream Equipment
- Magnet Systems: High-temperature superconducting coils (Lianchuang Optoelectronics).
- Vacuum Chambers: D-shaped double-layer vessels (Hefei Metalforming).
- Heating Systems: Neutral beam injectors (Southwestern Institute of Physics).
Downstream Projects
- CFETR: China’s 200-billion-yuan engineering reactor (Q>5 by 2027).
- SPARC: CFS’s compact tokamak (Q>20 by 2035).
Policy & Investment Landscape
- China: "14th Five-Year Plan" allocates 500B yuan for R&D, led by CNNC’s "Spark-I" hybrid reactor (Q>30 by 2029).
- U.S.: Private ventures like Helion ($5.8B funding) target grid connection by 2028.
- EU: UK’s STEP project aims for a 2040 fusion plant.
Key Companies
| Segment | Companies | Milestones |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| Superconductors| Western Superconducting, Yutong Wire | ITER-grade Nb₃Sn wires (12T fields) |
| Divertors | AT&M, Guoguang Electric | ITER-certified tungsten components |
| Systems | SEC, Hefei Metalforming | BEST vacuum chambers (±0.1mm precision) |
FAQs
Q1: When will fusion power become commercially viable?
A: Pilot plants like CFETR (2030) and SPARC (2035) may lead to grid integration by 2040–2050.
Q2: What’s the biggest technical hurdle?
A: Tritium self-sufficiency and first-wall material durability under neutron irradiation.
Q3: How does fusion compare to fission economically?
A: Current costs exceed fission, but economies of scale (e.g., China’s 2050 target of 10 plants/year) could reduce costs to <$0.01/kWh.
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Risks & Challenges
- R&D Delays: Iterative validation may extend timelines.
- Regulatory Hurdles: Safety and waste management protocols remain under development.
- Funding Gaps: Capital-intensive projects require sustained investment.
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