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editIntroduction
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The complexity of developing nuclear fusion energy is a reflection of our struggle for a cleaner future. This technology, while promising, remains a daunting task. At the COP27 conference, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted our dire situation, likening it to being in an "emergency room" due to climate change[1]. This comparison underscores the urgency for sustainable energy sources. Fusion energy, despite its potential for clean power, faces numerous challenges, including long build times, intricate innovation processes, and slow deployment rates[1]. However, the substantial investment from private companies, surpassing government funding, indicates the serious effort being made to turn fusion energy into reality[1]. The influx of private funding highlights the confidence that investors have in fusion energy's potential to revolutionize the energy sector[1]. Despite these significant investments, the timeline for its widespread use remains unclear, presenting a formidable challenge that researchers and developers must overcome.
In North Carolina, the push for clean energy is crucial given its large population and notable carbon emissions. As the ninth most populous state and the 14th largest CO2 emitter in 2014, North Carolina has made strides by adopting a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard[2]. This policy signifies the state's commitment to reducing carbon emissions, but true sustainability demands the integration of new energy sources like nuclear fusion. Achieving the break-even point, where the cost of fusion electricity matches or falls below that of traditional grid electricity, would be a game-changer, aiding North Carolina's transition to a low-carbon future[2]. This milestone is not just a technical achievement; it represents a crucial turning point that could significantly influence the state's energy policies and economic strategies.
As the state’s renewable energy sector grows, policymakers face the challenge of supporting and expanding this industry amidst geopolitical concerns. Political unrest in fossil fuel-rich regions makes the need for reliable, scalable, and financially viable energy solutions even more pressing[3]. This situation underscores the importance of developing domestic energy sources that are resilient to global market fluctuations and political instability[3]. While solar and wind power are part of the solution, nuclear fusion presents a transformative option[3]. Fusion energy, with its potential for nearly limitless clean power, could position North Carolina as a leader in next-generation energy technologies[3]. Helping fusion energy reach break-even costs could bring significant environmental and economic benefits to the state, attracting new businesses and fostering innovation in the energy sector[3].
North Carolina's dedication to nuclear research is evident at North Carolina State University's PULSTAR reactor[4]. This facility, while focused on nuclear physics, contributes to the broader field of nuclear science, benefiting both fission and fusion energy. Research at PULSTAR could enhance nuclear technologies and materials, addressing complex energy challenges[4]. This ongoing research highlights North Carolina's potential role in future advancements in nuclear energy, demonstrating the state's capacity to contribute to sustainable energy solutions[4]. The research conducted at PULSTAR not only provides valuable insights into nuclear physics but also supports the development of technologies that could accelerate the deployment of fusion energy[4].
A significant hurdle in advancing nuclear energy is the process of fuel qualification, ensuring new fuel designs are safe, reliable, and efficient. In nuclear fission, researchers had to develop new methods to qualify novel fuel types[5]. As interest in advanced nuclear reactors grows, speeding up this process has become a priority[5]. Many advancements in fission can be applied to fusion, as fusion reactors will need to meet similar safety and performance standards. This research is crucial for ensuring that fusion energy will be safe and ready for deployment when it becomes feasible[5]. The parallels between fission and fusion energy development highlight the importance of interdisciplinary research and collaboration in overcoming the technical and regulatory challenges facing the energy sector[5]. By building on the successes and lessons learned from fission research, the path to viable fusion energy becomes clearer and more attainable.
North Carolina impact
editNuclear fusion affects North Carolina because it could one day become the leading source of renewable energy not just within our borders, but also globally. Currently, fusion energy is still in its development stage so it would not be feasible to begin implementing its use as a viable source of energy in North Carolina. Despite this, North Carolina could adopt a fusion energy development program to assist in the global effort to improve fusion energy while also creating new jobs and boosting our economy. Additionally, if the efforts in making fusion energy viable were successful, we could be one of, if not the first state in the United States to adopt fusion energy as a source of energy.
North Carolina has made many moves toward developing greener energy sources, especially in the past decade. North Carolina State University’s own nuclear reactor has undergone upgrades to incorporate modern technologies so that research relevant to these new technologies can be completed[4]. Specifically, NC State’s PULSAR reactor was upgraded and installed with an ultracold neutron source which would allow the university to perform groundbreaking tests and research regarding reactor performance with the ultracold neutrons[4].
Nuclear energy is not the only form of renewable energy to have undergone advancements and expansion in North Carolina. A group of researchers studied how many companies were already involved in the development of renewable energy sources including solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal and how many companies could potentially become involved in the development of these renewable sources because of the products they develop[5]. The study found that around 1300 firms and 61,000 workers in North Carolina could assist in the expansion and development of renewable energy in some way[5]. These totals only include those who are not already part of the expansion of nuclear energy[5].
Based on estimates made by Duke Energy, North Carolina is top five in solar power and solar construction. We rank 30th in wind energy with the second largest offshore wind farm in the country. NC ranks 8th in utilizing biomass energy in the country. North Carolina also once again places in the top five, this time for electricity generation from nuclear power.
Despite our efforts, we could not find any research or scholarly articles relating to the development or implementation of fusion energy in North Carolina. However, it is clear that North Carolina is moving in the right direction for the future implementation of fusion research within its borders. NC’s current and potential workforce for renewable energy shows our willingness to develop and expand upon this form of energy so fusion is the obvious next choice. Fusion research would generate new jobs and research opportunities that would boost both North Carolina’s national and global standing. We have plenty of land, a strong economy, and brilliant students both in our state and our country to make this development possible. If and when we needed help, since nuclear fusion is a global effort of energy development, North Carolina would likely receive support through intellectual and financial means from overseas.
Nuclear fusion energy may not be very far off for North Carolina in the end. A recently passed bill includes both nuclear fission and more interestingly nuclear fusion in North Carolina’s future for clean energy. While this bill does not guarantee the development of nuclear fusion within North Carolina, it opens up the possibility that one day we may have our own nuclear fusion program. It means that NC could possibly even be a leader in the development of nuclear fusion if we start a program early enough. So while nuclear fusion energy is not a guarantee for North Carolina, especially not anytime soon, we can always be optimistic that someday it will be.
Proposed solutions
editNuclear fusion is quite a promising development for the world as a whole, offering to be a clean and renewable source of energy for generations to come. However, a main criticism of nuclear fusion is the fact that it tends to produce highly radioactive, dangerous waste that is usually disposed of underground. It is important to note, though, that this radioactive material is not entirely irredeemable - it is not extremely potent, as with waste from fission reactions, and will decay to safe levels in about a decade. Thus, I propose that we use this radioactive material for scientific purposes, as well as research into making nuclear energy truly reliable.
Firstly, this waste material can be used in biology experiments when contained in a safe manner, to understand how radiation poisoning can cause cancer in living agents. By doing so, we can work on providing solutions that will work to reduce the risks associated with radiation exposure, especially for those already working at power plants or astronauts heading to space. Furthermore, we have been able to synthesize the sun’s energy in the form of solar power, but having a reliable source of radioactive waste material might be a good way to research ways to extract energy from this radiation. Since sunlight is nothing but radiation - simply a different form of it (at a wavelength that is safe for humans - as the radiation waves are too big to damage our cells), we should theoretically be able to make “radiation” energy cells (similar to solar cells), expanding the radioactive frequencies to which we can collect and use energy. If we are able to achieve such a feat, we will ultimately be able to make nuclear fusion completely reliable for the future.
Another possible solution we could think of in the future, especially since we are able to contain nuclear fusion power in such small areas/cells such as NC State’s PULSAR reactor, is creating portable nuclear energy systems. This would mean that you could charge your phone, or drive your car, using nuclear energy alone. The only major issue would be disposing of the nuclear waste in a reliable and safe way, but once we do more research into making materials or defenses safe enough for humans to be close to radioactive material without developing poisoning, we should be able to implement something similar for our other products. And the best part is that it also has the potential to be way more powerful and reliable than our current energy outputs.
References
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- ^ a b c d Folke, Carl (2006-08-01). "Resilience: The emergence of a perspective for social–ecological systems analyses". Global Environmental Change. Resilience, Vulnerability, and Adaptation: A Cross-Cutting Theme of the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change. 16 (3): 253–267. Bibcode:2006GEC....16..253F. doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2006.04.002. ISSN 0959-3780.
- ^ a b Li, Binghui; Thomas, Jeffrey; de Queiroz, Anderson Rodrigo; DeCarolis, Joseph F. (2020-01-21). "Open Source Energy System Modeling Using Break-Even Costs to Inform State-Level Policy: A North Carolina Case Study". Environmental Science & Technology. 54 (2): 665–676. arXiv:2001.07264. Bibcode:2020EnST...54..665L. doi:10.1021/acs.est.9b04184. ISSN 0013-936X. PMID 31834995.
- ^ a b c d e Debbage, Keith G.; Kidd, Jacob F. (2011). "Renewable Energy in North Carolina: The Potential Supply Chain and Connections to Existing Renewable and Energy Efficiency Firms". Southeastern Geographer. 51 (1): 69–88. doi:10.1353/sgo.2011.0005. ISSN 1549-6929.
- ^ a b c d e f Korobkina, E.; Wehring, B. W.; Hawari, A. I.; Young, A. R.; Huffman, P. R.; Golub, R.; Xu, Y.; Palmquist, G. (2007-08-21). "An ultracold neutron source at the NC State University PULSTAR reactor". Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment. Proceedings of the 11th Symposium on Radiation Measurements and Applications. 579 (1): 530–533. Bibcode:2007NIMPA.579..530K. doi:10.1016/j.nima.2007.04.116. ISSN 0168-9002.
- ^ a b c d e f g Mika, Mitchell; Probert, Allison; Aitkaliyeva, Assel (2024-12-01). "Nuclear fuel qualification: History, current state, and future". Progress in Nuclear Energy. 177: 105460. Bibcode:2024PNuE..17705460M. doi:10.1016/j.pnucene.2024.105460. ISSN 0149-1970.