France Runs Fusion Reactor For Record 22 Minutes

France has achieved a breakthrough in the quest for nuclear fusion by sustaining a plasma reaction for 1,337 seconds—more than 22 minutes—at the WEST Tokamak reactor. The experiment is conducted on February 12 at the Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA).

For decades, nuclear fusion has been considered the “Holy Grail” of energy due to its potential to provide an almost inexhaustible, clean power source. Unlike nuclear fission, which splits atoms, fusion replicates the process that powers the sun by combining hydrogen isotopes to generate vast amounts of energy. A single gram of these isotopes can produce the energy equivalent of 11 tonnes of coal, making fusion one of the most promising solutions for sustainable energy.

However, the challenge lies not in initiating fusion, but in maintaining the extreme conditions required for it to be self-sustaining. The process demands temperatures between 100 and 150 million degrees Celsius, pressures of five to ten atmospheres, and a stable plasma state lasting more than ten seconds. While achieving fusion in a laboratory is relatively simple, developing a reactor that can generate more energy than it consumes has remained an elusive goal.

The latest achievement at WEST has pushed the boundaries of plasma stability, demonstrating a 25% improvement over China’s recent record. Unlike a simple endurance test, the experiment focused on keeping the reaction stable without causing erosion or contamination of the reactor’s components, a critical hurdle in fusion technology.

The WEST Tokamak’s success is not just about setting records; it plays a crucial role in refining the technology for future reactors. The data gathered from this experiment will contribute directly to the advancement of ITER, the massive international fusion project currently under construction in southern France. As one of the most ambitious fusion initiatives in the world, ITER aims to pave the way for large-scale commercial reactors that could redefine global energy production.

Anne-Isabelle Etienvre, Director of Fundamental Research at the CEA, highlighted the importance of this achievement, stating, “WEST has achieved a new key technological milestone by maintaining hydrogen plasma for more than twenty minutes through the injection of 2 MW of heating power. Experiments will continue with increased power. This excellent result allows both WEST and the French community to lead the way for the future use of ITER.”

While WEST itself is not designed to become a commercial power plant, it serves as a critical testing ground for longer plasma reactions. Scientists are now focusing on extending plasma sustainability beyond several hours while increasing temperatures, moving one step closer to making fusion a practical energy source.

The breakthrough at WEST demonstrates significant progress in overcoming the technical barriers to fusion power. While a fully operational commercial fusion reactor remains a distant goal, each advancement brings humanity closer to harnessing the virtually limitless and carbon-free energy of the future.