Fusion: A New Source of Green and Sustainable Nuclear Energy

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Fusion: A New Source of Green and Sustainable Nuclear Energy

Introduction

Energy is an essential pillar and indicator of human development and is central to the challenge of achieving sustainability in social, economic, and environmental spheres. In light of increasing energy demand, it is crucial to secure energy sources that are both environmentally clean and sustainable.

Presently, electricity is mainly generated from fossil fuels, with 61% of all electricity generated from fossil fuels in 2023, with the remaining 30% produced from renewables. Fossil fuels also accounted for a staggering 82% of global energy production [1]. The statistics reflect an even more dire condition for the Arab world with some countries almost fully relying on fossil fuels for energy production as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1. Per capita electricity generation from fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables of the world and some Arab countries. [Source: Energy Institute – Statistical Review of World Energy (2023) [2]].

Fossil fuels are the leading cause of global climate change, responsible for more than 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and almost 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions [3]. The Arab region is one of the most heavily impacted regions by climate change. Countries are being impacted by climate change through more frequent cyclones, floods, and droughts, and this directly affects the economy in a multitude of ways. Economists theorize that global economic growth will be hindered by rising operational costs as global temperatures rise. Some studies even suggest that a worst-case impact of a 1% reduction in GDP growth per year could be realized and that the impact will be disproportionately damaging to developing economies [4].

It is also essential to highlight the health impact associated with fossil fuel dependency. Research has shown that more than 8 million people died in 2018 from fossil fuel pollution, which means that air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels like coal and diesel was responsible for about 1 in 5 deaths worldwide [5].

To counteract the aforementioned effects of fossil fuels, it is essential to recognize that nuclear energy is the largest source of carbon-emission-free electricity production where continuous and reliable supply is needed, as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2: Average life-cycle carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions for different electricity generators [Source: IPCC]

In 2023, electricity produced by nuclear energy was only 9.1% worldwide. In addition to that, and as evident in Fig. 1[AB1] [GA2], the Arab region almost has no contribution to this production. However, there is a general movement towards recognizing how vital of a role nuclear energy plays in achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Fig. 3: Share of electricity production by source. [Source: Energy Institute – Statistical Review of World Energy (2023) [5].

Nuclear Fusion Energy

Nuclear fusion, in contrast to the fission process used in current reactors, entails the merging of two light nuclei to generate a substantial amount of energy (Fig. 4). With nearly limitless fuel resources, fusion energy holds great promise for satisfying long-term global energy needs. The deuterium-tritium (D-T) reaction is the most promising for fusion power, releasing energy as a result of the mass difference between the initial reactants and the produced helium-4 and neutron. Achieving this reaction necessitates extremely high temperatures, leading to a plasma state where atoms are fully ionized.

Fig. 4: D-T fusion reaction reactions involve combining deuterium and tritium to produce a neutron and a 4He. [Source: Nuclear Power (2021) [6]]

Deuterium is abundant, with approximately 1 in every 6,500 hydrogen atoms in seawater existing as deuterium. This makes our oceans a vast reservoir of this hydrogen isotope. The energy produced from just 1 gram of deuterium-tritium fuel in a fusion reaction is equivalent to the energy generated by burning about 2,400 gallons of oil [7]. On the other hand, tritium is a rare radioactive isotope with a 12-year half-life, making it uncommon and not readily available for use in power plants. However, it can be produced by exposing lithium to energetic neutrons, a process known as breeding. Although it is less abundant than deuterium, lithium supplies are sufficient to supply energy needs for thousands of millennia. As for the products of this D-T reaction, energetic neutrons are generated and are absorbed by surrounding components, while helium-4 is safely released into the air.

Fusion, similar to fission, does not produce carbon dioxide or any other greenhouse gases. However, unlike fission, fusion does not produce any long-lived radioactive nuclear waste. It also has safety benefits, because fusion energy production is not based on a chain reaction, like fission, and the plasma must be maintained at very high temperatures with the support of heating systems and confined by an external magnetic field. Therefore, the possibility of the occurrence of accidents that could affect the environment is minimal.

Interest in fusion energy has surged due to several key factors, including rising concerns about climate change and energy security, recent scientific and technological breakthroughs in fusion research and development, and a significant increase in private sector investments. According to the IAEA World Fusion Outlook and the Fusion Industry Association, the number of private fusion companies continues to rise, now totaling 43 (in 2024). Additionally, private investment in the fusion sector has exceeded US $6 billion. Several initiatives continue to be launched in hopes of creating a collaborative framework aimed at speeding up the research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of safe and sustainable fusion energy.