China's race to lead the world in nuclear fusion
China is investing $1.5 billion annually in nuclear fusion research, aiming to build the CFETR by the 2030s for 1 gigawatt of power, while advancing rapidly in international projects like ITER.
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China is intensifying its efforts to become a leader in nuclear fusion technology, aiming to develop clean and virtually limitless energy sources. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) in Hefei is a key facility where researchers conduct extensive plasma experiments, achieving around 100 shots daily, significantly more than other global facilities. The Chinese government is investing approximately $1.5 billion annually in fusion research, nearly double the U.S. allocation, and has ambitious plans to construct the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR) by the 2030s. This reactor aims to produce up to 1 gigawatt of fusion power, potentially leading to operational fusion power plants in the following decades. China’s fusion program has evolved rapidly, transitioning from a minor player to a significant contributor to international projects like the ITER in France. The country’s strategy emphasizes speed and efficiency in research and development, with plans for a new facility, the Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (CRAFT), to support CFETR's development. As global energy demands rise and the need for cleaner energy sources becomes critical, China's advancements in fusion technology could play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges.
- China is investing heavily in nuclear fusion research, with an annual budget of approximately $1.5 billion.
- The country aims to build the CFETR by the 2030s, targeting 1 gigawatt of fusion power.
- EAST is a leading facility, achieving significantly more plasma shots than its global counterparts.
- China is rapidly advancing in fusion technology, contributing to international projects like ITER.
- The new CRAFT facility will support the development of materials and components for future fusion reactors.
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