New Record in Fusion Energy: China’s 1,066-Second Plasma Achievement

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China's EAST facility sets a new record, maintaining plasma at 100 million degrees for over 1,000 seconds, bringing nuclear fusion closer to reality. / Picture ⓒ Xinhua

China's Historic Fusion Energy Milestone: 1,066 Seconds at 100 Million Degrees

On January 20, 2025, China achieved a monumental breakthrough in nuclear fusion research. At the EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) facility in Hefei, scientists reached a significant milestone by maintaining plasma at an incredible 100 million degrees Celsius for 1,066 seconds, a new world record. This achievement marks a major step forward in the global pursuit of fusion energy, providing an exciting glimpse into a future where clean, limitless power is a reality.

Why 100 Million Degrees Matters for Fusion

Fusion energy, the process that powers the sun, involves fusing light atomic nuclei to release vast amounts of energy. Achieving and maintaining the extreme temperatures required for fusion is one of the most significant challenges researchers face. The 100 million-degree mark is critical because it replicates the conditions found in the sun’s core, where fusion occurs naturally. Maintaining these conditions for over 1,000 seconds demonstrates the progress being made toward a sustainable fusion reaction capable of producing energy on a large scale.

This achievement is a crucial step forward. Previous milestones set by the EAST team include achieving stable plasma for 30 seconds in 2012, 60 seconds in 2016, and 403 seconds in 2023. By surpassing the 1,000-second barrier, China has positioned itself as a leader in the race to develop practical fusion energy.

The Role of Superconducting Magnets in Plasma Confinement

The key to the EAST experiment’s success lies in the advanced technology used to contain the plasma at such high temperatures. Superconducting magnets are essential in the Tokamak design used by EAST. These magnets generate powerful magnetic fields that keep the plasma suspended in place, preventing it from touching the walls of the reactor. If the plasma were to make contact with the reactor’s walls, it would cool down and disrupt the reaction.

By utilizing superconducting magnets, EAST significantly reduces the energy loss that would typically occur in conventional magnets. This allows for prolonged periods of high-temperature plasma, bringing researchers closer to achieving a sustainable fusion reaction.

China’s Fusion Energy Ambitions: A Global Vision

This breakthrough at the EAST facility is a cornerstone in China’s ambition to become a global leader in fusion energy. The nation has set an ambitious goal of commercializing fusion energy by 2050. With plans to establish the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR) by 2035, China is moving quickly to test the viability of fusion as a scalable and sustainable energy source.

Fusion energy offers several advantages over traditional energy sources. Unlike fossil fuels, fusion does not produce greenhouse gas emissions, and it generates no long-lived radioactive waste, making it an environmentally friendly option. The fuel for fusion, deuterium and lithium, is abundant and can be sourced from seawater, further enhancing its sustainability as an energy solution. This makes fusion an attractive option for addressing the global energy crisis.

The Evolution of Fusion Research: A Collaborative Effort

While China’s achievements in fusion research are impressive, it is not the only country making strides in this area. South Korea’s K-STAR reactor, for example, also reached significant milestones, including maintaining plasma at 100 million degrees Celsius for 48 seconds in 2024. Researchers in the U.S. and the European Union are also working on advanced fusion projects, contributing to the global effort to unlock the potential of fusion energy.

The collaborative nature of fusion research is critical for accelerating progress. By sharing data, innovations, and lessons learned, countries can overcome the significant technical challenges associated with fusion. Global cooperation is expected to play a crucial role in bringing fusion energy from the laboratory to practical use.

The Challenges of Scaling Fusion Energy

Despite the promising advancements, there are still significant challenges to overcome before fusion energy can be widely adopted. One of the biggest hurdles is achieving net positive energy gain—where the energy produced by the fusion reaction exceeds the energy required to sustain the reaction. While EAST has made impressive progress in sustaining plasma, it will take continued innovation and experimentation to reach this energy milestone.

Another challenge lies in the infrastructure required to support fusion reactors. Fusion facilities require complex and costly infrastructure, including superconducting magnets, plasma confinement systems, and cryogenic cooling systems. Building and maintaining these systems will require substantial investment and international collaboration.

However, the rewards of successful fusion energy are immense. Once achieved, fusion could provide virtually unlimited, clean energy without the harmful environmental impact associated with fossil fuels. As the world shifts toward sustainable energy sources, fusion holds the potential to play a central role in this transition.

The Path Forward: Fusion as the Future of Energy

Fusion energy is often referred to as the "holy grail" of energy technology. Its potential to provide abundant, clean, and virtually limitless energy makes it a key area of research for tackling global energy and environmental challenges. While challenges remain, the recent breakthroughs in China and other countries signal that the path to achieving practical fusion energy is becoming clearer.

The ability to harness the power of fusion would mark a transformative shift in the global energy landscape. Fusion power plants could replace coal and natural gas plants, significantly reducing carbon emissions and helping to mitigate climate change. Additionally, fusion provides a stable energy source that is not subject to the fluctuations of fossil fuel markets, offering a long-term, sustainable solution to the world’s growing energy demands.

Summary:

China’s EAST facility has achieved a historic breakthrough, maintaining plasma at 100 million degrees for 1,066 seconds, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of clean and limitless fusion energy. With ambitious goals set for commercialization by 2050, fusion energy holds the promise of transforming global energy systems and addressing climate challenges.

Q&A:

1. What is the significance of maintaining plasma at 100 million degrees in fusion research?
Maintaining plasma at 100 million degrees is crucial for replicating the conditions necessary for fusion reactions to occur, similar to those found in the sun. It demonstrates progress toward achieving sustainable fusion energy.

2. How does China’s EAST facility contribute to fusion energy development?
EAST has set a new world record by maintaining high-temperature plasma for over 1,000 seconds, positioning China as a leader in the global race to develop practical fusion energy solutions.

3. What are the key challenges in achieving commercial fusion energy?
The primary challenges include achieving net positive energy gain (where the energy produced exceeds that required) and building the necessary infrastructure to support fusion reactors, such as superconducting magnets and plasma confinement systems.

4. What is the timeline for fusion energy commercialization?
China aims to commercialize fusion energy by 2050, with the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR) slated to begin operations by 2035.

5. How could fusion energy impact global energy markets?
Fusion energy could provide a clean, virtually limitless power source, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, lowering carbon emissions, and offering a stable energy solution for the future.

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