The UK government has released regulatory consultation proposals for the regulation of future nuclear fusion technology and power plant design, development, construction and operation. These were contained in a document called the Fusion Green Paper, which was published on Friday. The public and industry have until December 24 this year to submit their comments, suggestions, concerns and other responses to the proposals.
Whereas nuclear fission (used in all existing nuclear power plants) releases energy by splitting atoms, nuclear fusion releases energy by smashing together atoms (specifically, hydrogen atoms). Fusion is the process that fuels the Sun and all other stars. Fusion would not have issues fission has, such as having to store and reprocess spent fuel, or having to deal, after decommissioning, with large and highly radioactive components. The main waste product from fusion would be (non-radioactive) water.
“Fusion energy could be the ultimate power of the future – low carbon, safe and sustainable – and we want the UK to continue to lead the world as we work to unlock its potential and build back greener,” affirmed UK Science Minister (equivalent to Deputy Minister in South Africa) George Freeman. “By putting in place the crucial foundations we’re setting out [Friday], we will ensure the UK is uniquely placed to capitalise on this innovative and revolutionary energy source in the years ahead – helping to tackle climate change and reduce our dependence on unreliable fossil fuels at the same time.”
With the publication of the Fusion Green Paper, the British government seeks to make the UK the first country to legislate for the safe and efficient rolling out of nuclear fusion power. Because fusion does not produce radioactive waste like fission does, the government’s proposals are for continuing with a regulatory approach that is “proportionate”, significantly different from the regulation of nuclear fission, and “innovation-friendly”.
In turn, the early adoption of a fusion regulatory framework is intended to assist the UK to maintain its lead in fusion technology and facilitate its commercialisation. Also to this end, the government plans to build a prototype nuclear fusion plant by 2040. This project is called ‘Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production’ or STEP. (A tokamak is a hollow doughnut-shaped structure which forms the heart of most nuclear fusion plant designs.)
These projects fall within the UK’s ‘Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution’. If successful, they would result in the creation of a fusion technology industry, able to export to other countries – fusion does not have the nuclear non-proliferation issues that fission has. (In addition to its national fusion programme, the UK is also a member of the international ITER nuclear fusion power project.)