The potential for using fusion energy to produce commercial electric power was first explored in the 1950s. Harnessing fusion energy offers the prospect of a nearly carbon-free energy source with a virtually unlimited supply of fuel. Unlike nuclear fission plants, appropriately designed fusion power plants would not produce the large amounts of high-level nuclear waste that requires long-term disposal. Due to these prospects, many nations have initiated research and development (R&D) programs aimed at developing fusion as ...
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The potential for using fusion energy to produce commercial electric power was first explored in the 1950s. Harnessing fusion energy offers the prospect of a nearly carbon-free energy source with a virtually unlimited supply of fuel. Unlike nuclear fission plants, appropriately designed fusion power plants would not produce the large amounts of high-level nuclear waste that requires long-term disposal. Due to these prospects, many nations have initiated research and development (R&D) programs aimed at developing fusion as an energy source. Two R&D approaches are being explored: magnetic fusion energy (MFE) and inertial fusion energy (IFE). An Assessment of the Prospects for Inertial Fusion Energy describes and assesses the current status of IFE research in the United States; compares the various technical approaches to IFE; and identifies the scientific and engineering challenges associated with developing inertial confinement fusion (ICF) in particular as an energy source. It also provides guidance on an R&D roadmap at the conceptual level for a national program focusing on the design and construction of an inertial fusion energy demonstration plant. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Status and Challenges for Inertial Fusion Energy Drivers and Targets 3 Inertial Fusion Energy Technologies 4 A Roadmap for Inertial Fusion Energy Appendixes Appendix A: The Basic Science of Inertial Fusion Energy Appendix B: Statements of Task Appendix C: Agendas for Committee Meetings and Site Visits Appendix D: Agendas for Meetings of the Panel on the Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) Targets Appendix E: Bibliography of Previous Inertial Confinement Fusion Studies Consulted by the Committee Appendix F: Foreign Inertial Fusion Energy Programs Appendix G: Glossary and Acronyms Appendix H: Summary from the Report of the Panel on the Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) Targets (Unclassified Version) Appendix I: Technical Discussion of the Recent Results from the National Ignition Facility Appendix J: Detailed Discussion of Technology Applications Event Profiles
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Edition:
Prepublication copy--subject to further editorial correction
Publisher:
The National Academies Press
Published:
2013
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
16444968137
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Good. [8], 16, 56, 54, 24, 65 pages. Footnotes. Illustrations (Tables and Figures). Rear cover creased. The potential for using fusion energy to produce commercial electric power was first explored in the 1950s. Harnessing fusion energy offers the prospect of a nearly carbon-free energy source with a virtually unlimited supply of fuel. Unlike nuclear fission plants, appropriately designed fusion power plants would not produce the large amounts of high-level nuclear waste that requires long-term disposal. Due to these prospects, many nations have initiated research and development (R&D) programs aimed at developing fusion as an energy source. Two R&D approaches are being explored: magnetic fusion energy (MFE) and inertial fusion energy (IFE). An Assessment of the Prospects for Inertial Fusion Energy describes and assesses the current status of IFE research in the United States; compares the various technical approaches to IFE; and identifies the scientific and engineering challenges associated with developing inertial confinement fusion (ICF) in particular as an energy source. It also provides guidance on an R&D roadmap at the conceptual level for a national program focusing on the design and construction of an inertial fusion energy demonstration plant. The committee's final report represents the consensus of the committee after six meetings (see Appendix C for the meeting agendas). The first four meetings were concerned mainly with information gathering through presentations, while the final two meetings focused on carrying out a detailed analysis of the many important topics needed to complete the committee's assessment. This report describes and assesses the current status of inertial fusion energy research in the United States, identifies the scientific and engineering challenges associated with developing inertial confinement fusion as an energy source, compares the various technical approaches, and, finally, provides guidance on an R&D roadmap at the conceptual level for a national program aimed at the design and construction of an inertial fusion energy demonstration plant, including approximate estimates, where possible, of the funding required at each stage. At the outset of the study, the committee decided that the fusion-fission hybrid concept was outside the scope of the study. While they are certainly interesting subjects of study, comparisons of inertial fusion energy to magnetic fusion energy or any other potential or available energy technologies (such as wind or nuclear fission) were also outside the committee's purview. Although the committee carried out its work in an unclassified environment, it was recognized that some of the research relevant to the prospects for inertial fusion energy was conducted under the auspices of the nation's nuclear weapons program and has been classified. Therefore, the NRC established the separate Panel on the Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) Targets to explore the extent to which past and ongoing classified research affects the prospects for practical inertial fusion energy systems. The panel was also tasked with analyzing the nuclear proliferation risks associated with IFE; although that analysis was not available for inclusion in the interim report, the committee reviewed the panel's principal conclusions and recommendations on proliferation, and these are included in this final report of the committee. The target physics panel exchanged unclassified information informally with the committee in the course of the study process, and the committee was aware of the panel's conclusions and recommendations as they evolved. The panel produced both a classified and an unclassified report; the latter was timed so as to be available to inform this committee's final report; the Summary of the panel's unclassified report (prepublication version) is included as Appendix H.