Ugh, here we go again an ITER setback and our endless wait for fusion. We seem to be in an endless wait for the future and our time is running out. The ITER experimental fusion reactor – plagued with delays and cost overruns since its inception – is one of our rock stars in the attempt to make miniature stars on Earth.
What is ITER? ITER is an experimental fusion reactor. It is hoped that ITER will prove the feasibility of creating fusion energy on an industrial scale by replicating the process seen in the centre of our sun.
The magnet, known as the central solenoid, is being shipped in parts and will be 18 metres tall, 4.2 metres wide and weigh around 1000 tonnes once fully constructed. With a magnetic field strength of 13 tesla, it will be about 280,000 times stronger than Earth’s own magnetic field. Because of this, the structure that the central solenoid sits in will have to withstand forces equal to twice the thrust of a space shuttle lift-off.
They’re still hopeful – ITER is projected to achieve full-power operations until 2039. That’s a whopping 20 years after its initial target date. I guess fusion isn’t as easy as they make it look in sci-fi movies.
So what’s the big deal about ITER and this fusion setback? It’s the the constant excuse of “changing priorities.” Really? When you’re working on a groundbreaking project like this, shouldn’t the priority always be to make progress and reach your goals? But I guess changing priorities is just a fancy way of saying “we have no idea what we’re doing.”
To be fair – COVID and construction delays that have also played a role in this never-ending saga. Because what’s a good excuse without throwing a global pandemic into the mix? And don’t get me started on the switch to a new construction material. Because clearly, changing the game plan midway through is the key to success.
I’m disappointed in ITER’s fusion setback. We deserve better, more transparent science and technology focus when it comes to clean power. Good enough isn’t good enough – stop with the blog posts and star with the bug fixes. It’s time to stop settling for mediocre progress and start holding these projects accountable for their delays and lack of results. Quit dumbing things down to make everyone happy and let’s demand real progress and innovation. Our future depends on it.
