ITER: The Giant Fusion Reactor: Bringing a Sun to Earth (Copernicus Books)

This book provides for the first time an insider’s view into ITER, the biggest fusion reactor in the world, which is currently being constructed in southern France. Now in its second edition, it updates readers on all developments at ITER and those at competing fusion initiatives worldwide, at the National Ignition Facility (US), the Joint European Torus (EU) and the tens of start-ups funded by private ventures. The author also shares his personal experience with this unique big science project. Aimed at bringing the “energy of the stars” to earth, ITER is funded by the major economic powers (China, the EU, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the USA). Often presented as a “nuclear but green” energy source, fusion could play an important role in the future electricity supply. But as delays accumulate and budgets continue to grow, ITER is currently a star partially obscured by clouds. Will ITER save humanity by providing a clean, safe and limitless source of energy, or is it merely a political showcase of cutting-edge technology? Is ITER merely an ambitious research project and partly a PR initiative driven by some politically connected scientists? In any case, ITER has already helped spur on rival projects in the USA, Canada and the UK. This book offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at this controversial project, which France snatched from Japan, and introduces them to a world of superlatives: with the largest magnets in the world, the biggest cryogenic plant and tremendous computing power, ITER is one of the most fascinating, and most international, scientific and technological endeavours of our time. Foreword to the First Edition Preface to Second Edition Acknowledgements and Preface Introduction Contents 1 The Future of Energy What Sources of Energy Are Available and How Much Do We Need? References 2 What is Nuclear Fusion? Hydrogen, Deuterium, and Tritium References 3 A Brief History of ITER A Scientific Slowdown The Golden Age of Fusion The “Fireside” Summit The Birth of ITER Exit the United States References 4 Why in France? The Impasse ITER in Canada? High Technology and High Diplomacy “All United in Cadarache” References 5 Building a Gigantic Machine A 5200-Tonne Chamber High-Tech Bricks The World’s Largest Magnets The Fusion Ashtray A Giant Refrigerator A Pharaonic Worksite Constructions Worth EUR2 Billion A New Scientific Village References 6 A Machine Manufactured in Thirty-Five Countries A High-Tech Meccano The World’s Biggest Puzzle The Assembly Heart Transporting an Airbus A380 on the Road A Huge Logistical Challenge A Nerve Centre Close to Marseille Reference 7 Those Who Are Against ITER Scientific Criticisms Astrophysics and Flying Saucers False Claims and Miscommunication References 8 Why So Many Delays and Cost Overruns? “Concrete” Delays Poloidal Coils and Cooling Towers The Complexity is “Built-In” How Much Will It Cost? First Plasma in 2035? The ITER Budget is “Peanuts” References 9 How to Manage Such a Complex Programme? New Directors General “The Project Progresses Alone” ITER, Ellul, and Galbraith A Political Project Compensation and Benefits References 10 Is ITER Really Safe and Clean? Introduction What Kind of Waste? On Safe Grounds Tritium and Safety Natural Hazards References 11 ITER is Heating up the French Economy No Accommodation for ITER Contracts Worth EUR4.9 Billion Who Works for ITER? Workers Under Control Calls for Tenders and Subcontractors References 12 Will Fusion Become Commercial? How to Maximise the Gain Factor? After ITER References 13 Chinese Citizens in Provence Communication, Culture and Policy A Scientific Tower of Babel The Provence Cliché References 14 How to Communicate with the Public About a High-Tech Project? A Credible Mediascientific Dialogue Public Debates Why is ITER Invisible? References 15 Quest for Holy Grail of Fusion Lasers for Fusion Fusion Billionaires References 16 Beyond Technology Diplomacy “We Would Be Crazy not to Build ITER” ITER Is Already a Historic Step Technological Integrator References 17 More Technical Challenges The Assembly on Hold “a Delay of Several Years” References 18 The Dark Side of Political Technology A Ridiculously Small Budget A Political Technology The Responsibility of Science Communicators Professional Integrity An Unexpected Happy-Ending References 19 Fusion, Science and PR References Bibliography Index