RESEARCH PAPER

Nuclear Fusion as a Sustainable Future

Abstract

The aim of this article is to highlight the advantages of nuclear fusion within the current energy landscape, emphasizing its potential as a sustainable energy source. A survey was conducted with 24 students that combined closed-ended and open-ended questions and was distributed online. This study aims to explore college students’ perceptions on nuclear fusion, the current energy crisis and alternatives to conventional energy sources. The results revealed that 75% of the respondents were either somewhat familiar or entirely unfamiliar with nuclear fusion. Additionally, qualitative responses indicated misconceptions about its feasibility and safety. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted educational initiatives, such as workshops and public outreach campaigns, to bridge the knowledge gap. Moreover, the study calls for governments to invest more significantly in nuclear fusion research and development to accelerate progress and establish this technology as a cornerstone of the global energy transition.

1. INTRODUCTION

What is nuclear fusion, and why should I care? This is a question many people might ask themselves when they first hear about the topic. Simply put, nuclear fusion is a method of generating energy, much like oil, wind power, or coal. It’s a process designed to produce the electricity we rely on every day.

The way energy is created from oil or coal is straightforward to grasp: these fuels are burned in factories, heating water to produce steam. This steam drives turbines, which then generate electricity. Wind energy works similarly, except it uses the force of the wind to turn the turbines, eliminating the need to burn fuels and reducing harmful emissions that pollute the planet. Nuclear fusion, on the other hand, uses a special kind of fuel that, when "burned," releases an immense amount of energy, which is then used to heat water and spin turbines to produce electricity.

Here’s the catch: the special fuel used in fusion—deuterium and tritium, isotopes of hydrogen— doesn’t emit any harmful emission but requires extreme conditions to ignite, akin to the temperatures and pressures found at the core of the Sun. Achieving these conditions is no small feat and demands incredibly sophisticated and complex machinery. The facilities where this process occurs are known as nuclear fusion reactors.

Congratulations! You now know what nuclear fusion is. Add ten years of dedicated study to this foundation, and you might even work in the field someday.

But let’s address the second question: why should you care? This is the question we aim to answer in this article. As a brief introduction, we can say that nuclear fusion has the potential to revolutionize the way we produce and consume energy. It offers a chance to create a lasting legacy. If we can successfully harness it, we will secure a sustainable energy future for generations to come, enabling them to grow and thrive without the looming threats of an energy shortage or a climate crisis.

Many studies have focused on the reliability and technical aspects of this energy source, but few have explored public opinion on the matter. The objective of this paper is to raise awareness and understanding of nuclear fusion among younger generations, ensuring that society is well-prepared to embrace this groundbreaking technology when the time comes.

Important note: Nuclear fusion is not the same as nuclear fission!

2. Methods

To ensure the validity of this study, an online questionnaire was created using the “Google Forms” tool and designed by the author. The purpose of the questionnaire is to gain a deeper understanding of the respondents’ perspectives on the topics discussed in this article. The questionnaire consists of 4 demographic questions, 13 closed-ended questions, and 1 optional open-ended question at the end.

The respondents come from diverse backgrounds, primarily individuals aged 18–28, with a balanced representation of both men and women, most of whom are either recent graduates or current students. Their nationalities and majors span various countries fields , including countries as Taiwan, Spain, and India and majors as physics, economics …

The 13 closed-ended questions are organized into four sections: “Awareness and Knowledge,” “Attitudes Toward Nuclear Fusion,” “Energy Preferences and Comparison,” and “Environmental Impact.” This structure is designed to make it easier for respondents to provide their input. For reference, the questionnaire can be accessed through the following link: https://forms.gle/piRjqB52YWei4ivk9

The survey was shared among friends or colleagues and a total of 24 responses were collected, only few respondents answer the open-ended question so only closed-ended questions was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

3. Findings and Discussion

The reality is that, as of today, we have a range of energy sources that supply all the electricity we need for our daily lives. So, we return to the question posed in the introduction: Why should I care?

In the following sections, we will explore three compelling reasons why the world needs this technological breakthrough. First, we will examine the current energy crisis humanity faces. Next, we will discuss how nuclear fusion can address another major challenge of our generation: climate change. Finally, we will delve into how this technology offers significant advantages over its typical competitors, such as traditional renewable energies like wind and hydroelectric power.

Current Energy Sources and their Limits

The survey highlights a noticeable divide in opinions on whether fossil fuels will run out within our generation. About 31.6% of participants believe they will not, while 26.3% think they will. A significant portion, however, chose not to take a stance, selecting the "I don't know" option. This uncertainty reflects the complexities of the issue, as scientific data paints a concerning picture: it is estimated that approximately 40% of the world's available oil has already been consumed. Furthermore, if current consumption rates persist, natural gas reserves are projected to run out in about 50 years. (Robert, 2002)

The use of fossil fuels dates back to the early 19th century during the Industrial Revolution and has been pivotal in humanity's development. This fossil fuel-based model has served us up to now but , it is outdated in the face of modern challenges and fails to align with the planet’s needs and whether we like it or not, fossil fuel reserves are finite—a reality that society does not seem to fully acknowledge.

It is evident that human society has grown increasingly complex since its beginnings, and this progression is closely tied to the resources it consumes. Today, it is estimated that the global energy consumption averages around 85 trillion kilowatt-hours annually—a staggering amount compared to just a few decades ago. The following chart illustrates the trend in energy consumption over time. (M. Wiatros-Motyka, 2024)

According to the survey, 84.2% of respondents are either slightly or moderately concerned about the current energy crisis. This indicates a general awareness that the current energy model is insufficient to meet the growing demands of our increasingly energy-intensive society. Fusion energy not only has the potential to address this crisis but also to transform the way natural resources are exploited. In particular, it could reduce the dependence on oil-rich nations and contribute to a more equitable global energy landscape.

Clean energy

It goes without saying that fossil fuels are devastating the planet. In recent decades, the global population has become increasingly aware of the dangers of global warming and its primary culprit, in fact according to the study conducted with our respondents, over 50% reported being "very concerned" or "concerned" about the environmental impact of current energy

sources, such as fossil fuels. This is precisely one of the reasons why nuclear fusion energy holds such promise. Fusion energy is a clean energy source that emits almost no greenhouse gases and produces minimal radioactive byproducts. It represents a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative for the future.

Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear fusion does not emit any greenhouse gases. This is because the process of generating energy differs fundamentally from traditional combustion methods. In nuclear fusion reactors, a physical process known as nuclear fusion takes place, where deuterium and tritium atoms combine to form heavier elements, releasing vast amounts of energy in the process (Figure 3).

As a result, the byproducts of fusion are not gaseous pollutants but heavier atomic elements, making it a cleaner alternative to conventional energy sources.

One might argue that the byproducts of the nuclear fusion reaction are radioactive and also a problem for the environment, but this issue is significantly less severe compared to the waste generated by nuclear fission. The primary byproduct of fusion is helium, a non-radioactive and inert gas, which poses no harm to the environment. While some materials in the reactor may become mildly radioactive due to neutron activation, these materials have a much shorter half-life compared to the long-lived radioactive waste produced by fission reactors.

Moreover, advancements in materials science are continuously improving the design of fusion reactors to minimize radioactive waste and ensure that any residual materials can be safely managed or recycled. This makes nuclear fusion a far more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy source in the long term.

Reliable, Continuous Power

Although energy generated from current renewable sources such as solar and hydroelectric power is reaching historic highs—now supplying around 30% of the world's electricity (P. Moriarty, 2020)—scaling up to meet 100% of global energy demand, as some media propose, is far from reality. This is largely due to the inherent limitations of renewable energy sources, such as their seasonality and lack of consistency in providing a steady energy supply.

Solar energy, for instance, depends on sunlight, which varies by time of day, weather conditions, and geographic location. Similarly, wind power is contingent upon wind patterns, which are often unpredictable and irregular. These fluctuations make it challenging for renewables to provide a reliable and uninterrupted energy supply. Additionally, the storage technologies required to mitigate these inconsistencies, such as large-scale battery systems, are still costly, resource-intensive, and not yet developed enough to handle global demand.

When asked in the survey conducted for this article, only 20% of participants considered renewables to be a better option than nuclear fusion, further highlighting public skepticism about their ability to fully replace traditional energy sources.

Therefore, while renewables are essential to reducing carbon emissions and diversifying our energy mix, achieving a fully renewable global energy grid will require a combination of technological advancements, infrastructure improvements, and complementary energy sources like nuclear fusion, which can provide consistent and large-scale power generation.

In addition to addressing reliability issues, nuclear fusion offers the potential to decentralize energy production and reduce global dependence on oil-rich nations. Unlike fossil fuels, fusion relies on isotopes like deuterium and tritium, which are abundant and widely distributed across the globe. This accessibility enables countries without substantial fossil fuel reserves to generate their own energy, leveling the playing field in global energy markets.

By shifting reliance from a few resource-rich nations to a technology-driven energy source, fusion could empower more regions to achieve energy independence, enhancing economic stability and reducing geopolitical tensions tied to fossil fuel dependencies. (M. Wiatros-Motyka, 2024)

IV Conclusion

In conclusion, nuclear fusion stands out as a transformative solution to the challenges faced by today’s energy landscape. It offers a clean, efficient, and reliable alternative to fossil fuels, overcoming the limitations of current renewable technologies while decentralizing energy production and reducing dependence on resource-rich nations. Yet, the widespread unfamiliarity with fusion, as highlighted by our survey, underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and education among younger generations.

To fully realize fusion's potential, it is imperative to invest in research, infrastructure, and public engagement. Students, professionals, and policymakers alike must champion this technology as a cornerstone of a sustainable energy future. The time to act is now.

Bibliography

H. Ritchie, P. R. (2020). Energy Production and Consumption. Retrieved from https://ourworldindata.org/energy-production-consumption

M. Wiatros-Motyka, N. F. (2024, May 21). Global Electricity Review. Retrieved from https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2024/05/Report-Global-Electricity-Review-2024.pdf

P. Moriarty, D. H. (2020). Feasibility of a 100% Global Renewable. mdpi.

Robert, E. (2002). Are we running out of oil? EconSouth.

Figure 1: Energy consumption of different sources of energy

Figure 2: Responses to question 7 of the survey

Figure 3: Diagram of fusion interaction between light atoms

Bibliography

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