Compact Fusion: A Faster Path to Limitless Clean Energy

Public lecture by Joseph V. Minervini, Ph.D. visiting Distinguished Lecturer with IEEE Council on Superconductivity, hosted by Robinson Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington.

The world scientific community has spent decades developing and refining magnetic confinement fusion theory and experimental devices to safely, effectively and economically generate power from a nuclear fusion reaction.

Magnet systems are the ultimate enabling technology for these types of fusion devices. Future superconducting magnets using high-field, high-temperature superconductors (HTS) are now being developed and can significantly enhance the feasibility and practicality of fusion reactors as an energy source.

This public lecture will describe the current use of superconducting magnets for fusion devices and describe how several, small start-up companies, funded by private investment, are creating the future by developing high-field, high temperature superconductor magnets. Their goal is to dramatically speed the time for fusion to generate electrical power on the grid. Furthermore, new technology being developed by several New Zealand organisations are contributing to the rapid advancement of this new form of clean, carbon-free, power.