FPN14-32

Alberta Assesses Potential Role in Fusion Energy

July 13, 2014

The Alberta (Canada) Council of Technologies has issued a "Fusion Energy Assessment Report" that discusses the current status of fusion research (both magnetic and inertial) and the potential role that Alberta might play in fusion development. The emphasis is on inertial based on the author's belief that this technique, based on lasers, could potentially enter the commercial market "within the next 10-15 years".

The report is in two volumes. Volume I "summarizes the findings and recommends a way forward". Volume II "provides additional details on fusion approaches, status, benefits, and outlines an Alberta implementation strategy".

The report recommends "that Alberta establish an Alberta Energy Directorate and from this base ... develop a plan for our province's engagement in fusion energy and related technologies as part of an economic diversification strategy, with the objective of building the world's first inertial fusion energy (IFE) demo plant, jointly with the USA, in Alberta".

The report can be accessed at http://www.abctech.ca/energy-distribution