Accelerating fusion research via supercomputing

Abstract

The pursuit of fusion energy is gaining momentum, driven by factors including advances in high-performance computing. As the need for sustainable energy solutions grows ever more urgent, supercomputing emerges as a key enabler, accelerating fusion power toward practical realization. Supercomputers empower researchers to simulate complex plasma dynamics with remarkable precision, aiding in the prediction and optimization of plasma confinement and stability — both essential for sustaining burning plasmas. They also have a critical role in assessing the resilience of materials exposed to the extreme conditions of future fusion power plants. As the fusion community transitions from laboratory experiments to pilot plants, supercomputing bridges the gap between scientific discovery and engineering implementation, and it promises to reduce costs and shorten development timelines. Against a backdrop of global energy demands, it would be helpful to accelerate the transition of fusion energy from laboratory experiments to working power plants. This Perspective discusses areas of fusion energy research that are benefitting from supercomputing, such as simulations of complex plasma behaviour and materials under extreme conditions.