China & US Mark Fusion Energy Milestones: BEST Assembly & Zap Energy's Century Platform Success
China's fusion energy sector has marked a significant milestone with the assembly of the main machine for its next-generation nuclear fusion research device, BEST. Meanwhile, US-based Zap Energy has revealed promising operational results from its CenturyLink engineering test platform. These advancements come amidst global progress in fusion research, including the international ITER project in France.
Zap Energy's CenturyLink platform has demonstrated impressive performance, operating for over one hundred plasma shots at a frequency of 0.2 Hz. This resulted in a power delivery of 39 kilowatts (kW) to the plasma chamber. The company, based in the United States, is focused on developing a commercial fusion power plant at a decommissioned coal power station, in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
In China, the installation of the Dewar base, a critical structural component of the experimental reactor, signifies a transition into a new construction phase for the BEST facility. The Dewar, a large, vacuum-insulated vessel, is designed to maintain the cryogenic temperatures required for the device's powerful superconducting magnets to operate. Its precise placement and integrity are crucial for the operational performance and safety of the entire system. The ultimate goal for BEST is to generate electricity from a fusion reaction by 2030, initially aiming to power a light bulb.
These developments in fusion research, both in China and the United States, contribute to the global momentum towards harnessing fusion energy. The successful installation of the Dewar base in China and the promising operational results from Zap Energy's CenturyLink platform bring the world closer to a future powered by clean, abundant fusion energy.
