In a landmark achievement for sustainable energy, the SMART device has successfully produced its first tokamak plasma.
This innovative step marks significant progress toward harnessing fusion energy, a clean and virtually limitless power source.
Professor García Muñoz, Principal Investigator of the SMART tokamak, commented: “This is an important achievement for the entire team as we are now entering the operational phase of SMART.
“The SMART approach is a potential game changer with attractive fusion performance and power handling for future compact fusion reactors. We have exciting times ahead!”
Fusion energy explained
Fusion energy is often described as the ‘holy grail’ of energy production. It replicates the process that powers the Sun, where atomic nuclei combine under extreme conditions to release enormous amounts of energy.
Unlike traditional nuclear fission, which splits atoms and produces long-lived radioactive waste, fusion generates minimal waste and poses no risk of catastrophic meltdown.
The potential of fusion energy is staggering. It offers a virtually limitless supply of clean power, relying on abundant fuels like hydrogen isotopes found in seawater.
With the pressing global demand for sustainable and carbon-free energy solutions, fusion energy could revolutionise power generation and significantly mitigate climate change.
SMART: A revolutionary fusion device
The SMART (SMall Aspect Ratio Tokamak) device, developed by the Plasma Science and Fusion Technology Laboratory at the University of Seville, represents a breakthrough in fusion research.
This state-of-the-art spherical tokamak features unparalleled flexibility in shaping fusion plasma, making it a standout in the global fusion research community.
What sets SMART apart is its focus on negative triangularity plasma – a unique configuration that enhances stability and performance.
Unlike the conventional D-shaped plasma in most tokamaks, negative triangularity plasma resembles a mirrored D, offering remarkable advantages.
The role of negative triangularity in fusion
Negative triangularity plasma shapes have emerged as a game-changer for fusion devices. By suppressing instabilities that expel energy and particles, this shape ensures better confinement of the tokamak plasma.
This not only boosts fusion performance but also reduces wear on the tokamak walls, a critical factor in maintaining the device’s longevity and safety.
Moreover, the design offers improved heat management. By increasing the area for divertors – components that handle heat exhaust – negative triangularity simplifies the engineering challenges of compact fusion power plants.
These benefits position SMART as a vital player in developing efficient, compact fusion reactors.
SMART’s vision: The path to Fusion2Grid
SMART is a cornerstone of the Fusion2Grid strategy, which aims to lay the groundwork for compact, magnetically confined fusion power plants.
By achieving solenoid-driven plasma – a significant milestone – SMART is advancing the feasibility of Negative Triangularity shaped Spherical Tokamaks as the foundation for practical fusion energy.
The ultimate goal is to design high-field, compact spherical tokamaks that can operate at fusion-relevant temperatures. SMART’s progress represents a major leap toward making fusion power not only possible but also commercially viable.
Professor Eleonora Viezzer, co-PI of the SMART project, added: “We were all very excited to see the first magnetically confined plasma and are looking forward to exploiting the capabilities of the SMART device together with the international scientific community. SMART has awoken great interest worldwide.”
A bright future beckons
The successful generation of tokamak plasma by SMART underscores the growing momentum in fusion research. With its innovative approach to plasma shaping and focus on compact reactor design, SMART is paving the way for a new era of sustainable energy.
As the world seeks solutions to the dual challenges of climate change and energy security, fusion energy offers unparalleled promise. The achievements of SMART and the broader Fusion2Grid strategy signal that this promise may soon become a reality.
