HH70 fusion plant in Shanghai sets new world record, giving China leg up in fusion energy race
By richardbrown // 2024-07-19
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In Shanghai, the experimental nuclear fusion power plant HH70 has set a world record by achieving its first plasma, a major milestone in the quest for clean energy. This groundbreaking device is the first fully high-temperature superconducting tokamak and was constructed in just two years, showcasing China's engineering prowess. As countries race to harness nuclear fusion – the energy source that powers the sun – experts suggest that China is poised to lead in this technology, potentially reshaping the future of energy. The HH70, located in Shanghai, is the first entirely high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tokamak in history, having successfully produced its initial plasma in mid-June, as reported by the South China Morning Post. This is a significant achievement in the field of nuclear fusion, which is often regarded as the "holy grail" of clean energy due to its potential to provide cheap, clean, and limitless energy. (Related: China is beating the U.S. in the race for fusion energy.) Developed by the Shanghai-based fusion energy company Energy Singularity, the HH70 also set a record for the fastest development and construction of a superconducting tokamak device. Guo Houyang, co-founder and chief technology officer of Energy Singularity, noted in an interview with China Global Television Network that the HH70 is smaller, less expensive to produce, and was completed in just two years. China's strong engineering capabilities and robust industrial chain played a major role in this accomplishment.

HH70 achievement fueling tech race for fusion energy

Although the HH70's achievement won't immediately lead to the successful commercial generation of fusion electricity, the surrounding industry is already gearing up for the next clean energy competition. Yasmin Andrew, a researcher in Imperial College, London's Department of Physics, highlighted that while HH70 is the first tokamak to generate plasma, several commercial businesses worldwide are similarly striving to develop HTS technology for fusion. Despite fusion technology still being in its early stages, efforts to provide carbon-free energy comparable to that produced by the sun have turned into engineering projects. Dennis Whyte, former head of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Plasma Science and Fusion Centre, emphasized that fusion technology is no longer just studied for science’s sake but is moving towards implementation as a new energy source. Andrew Holland, CEO of the Fusion Industry Association, expressed concern that fusion might follow the solar industry’s path, where the United States developed most of the technology but China eventually took over manufacturing. He stressed the importance of the U.S. responding to this challenge, as China's ambitions in the fusion supply chain and development are clear. China's efforts to achieve commercial fusion energy are accelerating due to its increasingly developed industrial chain. In October 2021, Startorus Fusion was founded in Shaanxi, emphasizing how new materials like HTS allow for the design of compact devices proving the feasibility of fusion at a much cheaper cost. Energy Singularity, established the same year, aims to utilize breakthroughs in HTS magnets, advanced tokamak physics, and AI technologies to create fusion energy. This trend is not limited to China, with significant investments in fusion firms and increasing activity since 2018. China aims to have widespread commercial fusion use by 2050 and plans to construct an industrial prototype fusion reactor by 2035. Meanwhile, other countries are also investing in fusion energy technologies, with the United Kingdom awarding contracts for cutting-edge fusion technologies and the U.S. including substantial funding for fusion science initiatives. Chen Rui, founder of Startorus Fusion, asserts that China has an advantage in the engineering application of nuclear fusion technology, benefiting from a vast workforce, experience in large-scale manufacturing, policy support, and a robust supply chain. However, he acknowledges that international cooperation, technological innovation, and sustainable development strategies will be key in determining the future landscape of the fusion industry. Watch this episode of the "Health Ranger Report" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses cold fusion energy with James Martinez. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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