Nuclear fusion milestone: WEST sustains plasma for record 1,337 seconds

Nuclear fusion milestone: WEST sustains plasma for record 1,337 seconds
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Feb 20, 2025

The WEST tokamak, operated at the CEA Cadarache site in southern France, has set a new benchmark in nuclear fusion research by maintaining a plasma for an unprecedented 1,337 seconds on February 12. This achievement surpasses the previous record, recently established by China's EAST tokamak, by 25%.

This breakthrough is a crucial step towards the development of ITER and other next-generation fusion reactors, which aim to sustain plasma for extended periods. A key challenge in fusion research is stabilizing plasma while ensuring that reactor components withstand radiation exposure without degrading or contaminating the plasma environment.

CEA researchers are focused on overcoming these challenges, with plans to extend plasma duration to several hours and increase plasma temperature to simulate the conditions required for sustained fusion reactions.

WEST benefits from decades of CEA expertise in plasma science and welcomes international researchers to utilize its advanced features, such as superconducting coils and actively cooled components, which facilitate long-duration plasma operations. This facility plays a central role in global fusion research alongside other prominent projects like JET (which ceased operations in late 2023), JT-60SA in Japan, EAST in China, KSTAR in South Korea, and the ITER project.

Anne-Isabelle Etienvre, Director of Fundamental Research at the CEA, stated: "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."

Understanding Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion seeks to harness the power of plasma confinement, offering an energy source that requires minimal fuel and generates no long-lived radioactive waste. The most advanced method, magnetic confinement fusion, uses strong magnetic fields to contain plasma within a toroidal reactor, where extreme temperatures cause hydrogen nuclei to merge, releasing energy. Notably, the JET experiment demonstrated fusion power production at 15 MW for several seconds.

With both WEST and ITER situated in France, the country is positioned as a key player in fusion energy development. Fusion energy has potential synergies with nuclear fission and neutron-related technologies, which are well understood.

However, despite its promise, nuclear fusion faces significant technological and economic hurdles. The infrastructure required for large-scale energy production means it is unlikely to play a major role in achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Researchers continue to address these challenges, aiming to make fusion a viable long-term energy solution.