Creating “Artificial Suns”: the Sino-Western race to master limitless clean energy through nuclear fusion

IF 2.3 Q1 EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
W. Wong
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the intensifying efforts by China and the West to harness the clean, limitless energy of nuclear fusion. However, it argues that this “holy grail” of a fusion future is only achievable through an optimal combination of mission-oriented public–private cooperation and genuine intergovernmental cooperation.Design/methodology/approachThis study deploys a case-study approach, augmented by relevant literature, to analyse the advances in fusion technology.FindingsDespite purported recent advances in fusion technology, these advances remain largely “proof of concept” experiments rather than commercially viable technologies that enable us to truly harness the infinite power of these “artificial suns”. To achieve the moonshot goal of delivering practicable “net energy gain” from fusion power, this study advocates shedding hubristic political “one-upmanship” amongst rival governments. Further, it urges focussing the ingenuity, along with the financial and scientific resources of all stakeholders (both public and private) across the globe to bring about this “fusion dawn”. Moreover, efforts to deliver fusion power face significant competition from other clean energy sources (wind, solar power and nuclear fission reactors) that are not only technically far less challenging but also economically more viable with their declining cost structures.Originality/valueThis study is possibly one of the few social science papers that examines the prospect of clean, limitless fusion power along with the challenges it faces and its societal implications.
创造“人造太阳”:通过核聚变掌握无限清洁能源的中西竞赛
本文旨在考察中国和西方在利用清洁、无限的核聚变能源方面所做的不断努力。然而,报告认为,这一融合未来的“圣杯”只有通过面向使命的公私合作和真正的政府间合作的最佳结合才能实现。设计/方法/方法本研究采用案例研究方法,并辅以相关文献,分析融合技术的进展。尽管最近在核聚变技术方面取得了一些进展,但这些进展在很大程度上仍然是“概念验证”的实验,而不是商业上可行的技术,使我们能够真正利用这些“人造太阳”的无限能量。为了实现从核聚变发电中获得切实可行的“净能源收益”的登月目标,本研究提倡摒弃敌对政府之间傲慢的政治“占上风”。此外,它敦促集中智慧,以及全球所有利益相关者(公共和私人)的财政和科学资源,以实现这一“融合曙光”。此外,提供核聚变能源的努力面临着来自其他清洁能源(风能、太阳能和核裂变反应堆)的巨大竞争,这些能源不仅在技术上远没有那么具有挑战性,而且由于成本结构的下降,在经济上也更可行。原创性/价值这项研究可能是少数几篇探讨清洁、无限核聚变能源前景及其面临的挑战及其社会影响的社会科学论文之一。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Asian Education and Development Studies
Asian Education and Development Studies EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH-
CiteScore
5.50
自引率
0.00%
发文量
7
期刊介绍: Asian Education and Development Studies (AEDS) is a new journal showcasing the latest research on education, development and governance issues in Asian contexts. AEDS fosters cross-boundary research with the aim of enhancing our socio-scientific understanding of Asia. AEDS invites original empirical research, review papers and comparative analyses as well as reports and research notes around education, political science, sociology and development studies. Articles with strong comparative perspectives and regional insights will be especially welcome. In-depth examinations of the role of education in the promotion of social, economic, cultural and political development in Asia are also encouraged. AEDS is the official journal of the Hong Kong Educational Research Association. Key topics for submissions: Educational development in Asia, Globalization and regional responses from Asia, Social development and social policy in Asia, Urbanization and social change in Asia, Politics and changing governance in Asia, Critical development issues and policy implications in Asia, Demographic change and changing social structure in Asia. Key subject areas for research submissions: Education, Political Science, Sociology , Development Studies .
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