KSTAR’s Record-Breaking Feat Marks Significant Progress in Fusion Power Research
In a historic milestone for fusion energy research, South Korea’s KSTAR fusion reactor has shattered records by achieving temperatures seven times hotter than the core of the real Sun. The Korea Institute of Fusion Energy’s (KFE) Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) reactor achieved this remarkable feat during tests conducted between December 2023 and February 2024.
Exploring Fusion Power: Mimicking the Stars
Fusion power endeavors to replicate the processes that fuel stars, including our Sun, by combining light elements like hydrogen to form heavier elements, releasing massive amounts of energy. This energy, if harnessed, could offer an unlimited source of zero-carbon electricity, making fusion power a highly sought-after solution for sustainable energy needs.
Breaking Records: KSTAR’s Remarkable Achievement
KSTAR’s recent accomplishment involved sustaining temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius (212 million degrees Fahrenheit) for 48 seconds, surpassing the Sun’s core temperature of about 15 million degrees Celsius (27 million degrees Fahrenheit). Additionally, the reactor maintained a high confinement mode (H-mode) for over 100 seconds, a critical state for efficient energy production. This achievement represents significant progress since KSTAR’s previous record in 2021.
Innovations with Tungsten Divertors
A pivotal innovation contributing to these breakthroughs is the use of tungsten divertors, components crucial for removing waste gases and impurities from the fusion reactor. The transition from carbon-based divertors to tungsten has been instrumental, as tungsten divertors demonstrate superior performance under high heat loads, enhancing plasma purity and stability.
Global Implications for Fusion Research
KSTAR’s success holds implications beyond South Korea, benefiting global fusion research endeavors. Insights gained from tungsten divertor technology are expected to advance projects like the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a major international fusion initiative. ITER, set to achieve its first plasma by 2025, will incorporate tungsten divertors, drawing on the successes of KSTAR.
Looking Ahead: Towards Practical Fusion Power
Suk Jae Yoo, President of the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, sees this breakthrough as a green light for progress towards DEMO reactors, the next phase in realizing practical fusion power plants. With a focus on securing core technologies for ITER and future reactors, the KSTAR team is paving the way for fusion power to transition from theory to reality.
