The world’s population is growing. It is expected to be 9 billion by 2040. With a growing population comes a corresponding growth in energy demand. In the next twenty years, the largest growth by energy commodity is electricity, with demand projected to increase by 45% by 2040.
Current energy policy in large part is being driven by public objectives concerning climate change. Today, world temperatures are peaking reflecting a global 100,000-year temperature cycle (in the past 400,000 years, there have been four complete global temperature cycles of comparable temperature peaks and valleys). Of concern is that with today’s temperature peak, there may be anthropogenic (human) activities that could exacerbate temperature effects.
When considering ways to meet energy demands, a more holistic approach is needed to determine which primary form of energy and subsequent energy system should be pursued. Boundary conditions and measurements should be broad and encompassing.
For example, all energy systems should be assessed for the
ADVANTAGES OF FUSION
Unlimited Fuel
Fusion fuel is unlimited. Fusion requires deuterium and tritium, isotopes which can be extracted from seawater and derived from lithium. There is more than enough supply to meet the world’s energy demand for millions of years.
Highest Net Energy Ratio
Fusion ranks the highest in terms of the ratio of useable energy available given the amount of energy required to make that useable energy.
Best Energy Density
Fusion has the best energy density of any energy system in terms of the amount of energy produced by the amount of land/water/area needed.
Minimal Environmental Impact
Fusion produces zero greenhouse gas emissions, emitting only helium as exhaust. There is no continuous production of radioactive waste, and no long-lived waste. Land and water use, and biodiversity impacts are minimal.
No Undue Safety/Security Concerns
Fusion energy is inherently safe, with zero possibility of a meltdown. No materials are produced for the manufacturing of nuclear weapons.
Comprehensive Enabling
Fusion can support the development of other energy systems, such as renewables, as it can provide base-load and back-up power with very little environmental impact. Fusion plants can be located in populous areas and as economies of scale and scope are achieved, help support regional and local energy systems (improve energy security).
Economically Competitive
Natural gas, wind, hydro and fusion are less expensive than coal power, and fusion is projected to be less expensive than fission power.
Complements Immense Technical Innovation
Fusion technologies involve significant cross-sectorial applications (lasers, AI, computing, advanced materials, advanced propulsion systems).
CHALLENGES
PUBLIC ATTITUDES ON ENERGY SYSTEMS
In a survey on energy systems conducted in May 2019, Alberta respondents were asked a series of questions on energy systems. The purpose of the survey was first to judge initial energy literacy, and then upon providing further technical information, assess whether views on fusion energy would change. The survey questions are provided below.
How would you rate your knowledge of alternatives to fossil fuels (oil, gas) for producing energy?
How interested are you in learning more about alternative sources of energy?
Where do you get information about energy alternatives?
What percentage of Canada’s energy is used in each of the following areas: industrial; transportation; heat/power for residences & buildings?
What percentage of the energy used in Canada is from: refined petroleum products; natural gas; electricity?
Please rank these environmental impacts of energy production and consumption.
Below are things that society & government could consider when deciding what types of energy to support. How do you rank these factors?
How do you rank these factors?
There are many different ways to produce energy for heat, electricity, and transportation. Which of the following energy sources are you very familiar with (you could describe it to others)?
What do you know/think/guess are some of the differences between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
Please rank the top three forms of energy that you think the governments in Canada should “support”.
Which of the following words would you use to describe nuclear energy (fission, fusion), fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, oil), renewables (biomass, hydro, solar, wind)?
Which material do you think produces the most energy per kilogram?
Which energy system produces the most greenhouse gas emissions to create energy for electricity?
Which energy system uses the most land to create energy for electricity?
Which energy system consumes (uses up) the most water to create energy for electricity?
Please rank, where should be the most important consideration to Canadian governments.
Given what you’ve read, how do you rank these factors now?
Given what you have read, please rank the top three forms of energy that you think the governments in Canada should “support”.
The following table compares the results to the question “What form of energy should government support” identified in red above pre and post the provision of technical information. For example, 34% of respondents chose “Solar” as one of their top two choices in the second round of the question, down from 42% when the question was first asked. Regarding “Fusion” when asked its ranking initially, it was found to be only 8% of respondents’ top two choices. When re-asked after technical information was provided, it found to be a top two choice in 20% of the responses. When looking at the top three choices, 29% of respondents chose fusion, up from 17%.
“What form of energy should government support?”
The results suggest that nuclear energy, particularly fusion, has attributes that are attractive to the public.
The survey was prepared and co-authored by Advanis and the Alberta/Canada Fusion Technology Alliance (now known as the Fusion Energy Council of Canada).
The full survey is available under the Membership Portal. Two summary reports published by Advanis are available as follows:
Knowledge of and Support for Nuclear Power and Other Alternative Energy Sources
Emotional Perceptions of Energy Sources