Climate Insider Brief:
- Korea’s Ministry of Science has announced a significant investment of 1.2 trillion won ($863.7 million) in nuclear fusion technologies, aiming to enhance both large-scale domestic reactors and smaller international reactors through a collaborative initiative named ‘Dream Energy.’
- The government is launching a 2 trillion won project called ‘Artificial Sun’ to further develop nuclear fusion energy technology and infrastructure.
- The projects aim to foster public-private cooperation, establish a fusion energy industrial base, and promote specialised education to develop future experts.
On Monday, the Ministry of Science announced a substantial investment of 1.2 trillion won ($863.7 million) into the development of nuclear fusion technologies. This ambitious initiative aims to enhance Korea’s nuclear fusion capabilities, focusing on both large-scale reactors centred in Korea and smaller reactors spearheaded by international companies.
The initiative, aptly named ‘Dream Energy,’ is set to involve a collaborative effort between research institutions and private enterprises to advance nuclear fusion research. Additionally, the government is launching a significant 2 trillion won project called ‘Artificial Sun’ to further develop nuclear fusion energy technology and establish the necessary infrastructure.
Project Goals and Components
The projects, Dream Energy and Artificial Sun, are comprehensive and multifaceted, aiming to achieve several key objectives:
- Cooperation with Private Companies: Encouraging collaboration between public research institutions and private sector firms to advance fusion technology.
- Establishing a Base for Nuclear Fusion Energy Industrialization: Creating the necessary infrastructure and industrial base to support the growth of fusion energy.
- Enhancing Specialized Education: Promoting university programs focused on nuclear fusion to develop the next generation of experts in the field.
Science Minister Lee Jong-ho emphasised the strategic importance of fusion power, stating, “Fusion power can be a solution to the rising concerns surrounding energy and greater electricity demand, and in the future, only the country with fusion power technology will be able to lead the global energy market.” This statement was made during the 20th National Nuclear Convergence Committee meeting, chaired by Minister Lee, where the ‘Nuclear Convergence Energy Acceleration Strategy (Proposition)’ was deliberated and resolved.
The Science of Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear fusion involves producing energy through the fusion of deuterium and tritium, mirroring the process that powers the sun. Unlike traditional nuclear power plants that rely on fission reactions, fusion power generates energy without producing greenhouse gases or high-level radioactive waste. This clean energy approach positions nuclear fusion as a crucial component in the global transition towards decarbonization and energy security.
Strategic Objectives
Korea’s strategy for nuclear fusion development is structured around three main areas: technology innovation, industrialization, and ecosystem development.
1. Technology Innovation
The government will initiate the ‘Fusion Engineering Innovation Project’ to lead global fusion research and engineering. This project will focus on developing critical technologies, such as tritium breeders and blanket modules, which are essential for constructing fusion reactors. The goal is to enhance the practical application and commercialization of fusion technologies by leveraging the advanced engineering capabilities of private sector firms alongside public research institutions.
2. Industrialization
The ‘Civil and Public Cooperation Plug-in Program’ will be introduced to support private sector innovation and integrate it with public fusion research efforts. Under this program, private consortia will lead research initiatives, with public institutions assisting in applying newly developed technologies to fusion reactors. This collaboration is expected to boost the export potential of domestically developed core components and equipment to international markets.
3. Ecosystem Development
The government plans to accelerate the digital transformation of nuclear fusion research by utilising the nation’s advanced digital technologies. This includes the development of virtual fusion reactors using digital twin technology to improve design precision and verification reliability. Additionally, artificial intelligence will be employed to create standardised operational protocols for fusion reactors, and remote diagnostic technologies will be developed to monitor the status of fusion reactors operating in extreme environments, ensuring safe and efficient reactor management.
Future Plans
By accelerating the development of fusion energy, Korea aims to secure its energy sovereignty and play a pivotal role in the decarbonized energy landscape. Current research efforts include projects at the Korean Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) and the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The government plans to construct a demonstration nuclear fusion reactor (DEMO) in the 2030s and achieve commercial fusion power by the 2050s.
Through these initiatives, Korea is positioning itself as a leader in the development and commercialization of fusion energy, paving the way for a sustainable and secure energy future.
SOURCE: KoreaTechToday
Featured Image: Credit: KSTAR
