South Korea is set to achieve a historic energy milestone in the pursuit of nuclear fusion energy. This year, the country’s flagship fusion program will break records by running its KSTAR tokamak plasma at temperatures exceeding 100,000,000 ºC for 300 seconds. This achievement would be one of the most significant feats in fusion reactions to date. Although Korea is set to secure a major accomplishment this year, commercial fusion power remains a goal that, for now, is still out of reach.
The role of the divertor in tokamak reactors
When it comes to fusion, one of the hurdles is containing the plasma for a long duration to induce a fusion reaction. Most of the attention has now fallen on the ambitious International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Nevertheless, this year’s goal set for the KSTAR reactor in Daejeon is worth considering. In September 2022, the KSTAR team successfully contained plasma that reached 100,000,000 ºC for 30 seconds. While this in itself was a remarkable feat, it was not quite enough to generate energy. The 100,000,000 ºC achievement alone must be applauded, as this means that the heat was so immense (seven times hotter than the sun).
After this, the KSTAR reactor underwent an upgrade to the point where the carbon divertor had been replaced by a tungsten divertor. The small upgrade alone showed rather impressive results. This had provoked the director of KSTAR Research Center, Dr. Si-Woo Yoon, and his team to realize that divertors are essential when it comes to tokamak reactors. Aside from removing the heat and helium ash from plasma, the divertor is responsible for handling the plasma. With the tungsten divertor having a larger mass and being able to handle a higher melting point, plasma particles have less of a chance of getting stuck to its surface.
Why is sustaining plasma at 100,00,000 ºC for 300 seconds important?
A few simple upgrades later, the KSTAR Research team realized the importance of securing the right technologies for future DEMO reactors and fusion projects. While more research may be required for further DEMO reactors, the main goal for 2026 is to sustain plasma in containment for 300 seconds. By achieving this, the KSTAR team would be able to beat its originally set record.
With the goal clearly in sight, the team has not only made upgrades to the divertor but has also worked on bettering the stability of plasma. With their partner, Princeton Plasma Laboratories, the team was also able to find ways to control for “tearing mode” instabilities.
While all is set to meet the rather ambitious goal of sustaining plasma for 300 seconds, it is important to recognize that if the team achieves this, they will showcase a tokamak reactor’s ability to sustain plasma for a longer duration, advancing material science.
Korea is set to join global efforts to advance plasma fusion
In the mission to progress plasma fusion, Korea is not working alone. All of the data derived from longer-duration plasma runs will be shared internationally to guide international fusion efforts. This sort of research will be extremely beneficial for the next-generation fusion reactors under development. Korea is, as such, not just achieving incredible goals of its own, but also acquiring a stronger foothold in terms of global fusion efforts and the fourth state of matter.
Implications of Korea’s achievement for future fusion projects
Korea’s record-breaking attempt set for this year will go beyond the testing laboratory and provide a glimpse of hope for abundant power. The ability to sustain plasma in containment for a longer duration will signify advances in engineering and the ability to overcome hurdles. Although energy uncertainty continues to plague us, this achievement will be a stepping stone in the right direction, providing hope for a better energy future throughout the globe.
Korea is proving that they are not just in the energy game to set new records, but to work harder and research more in order to break the records that they have set. The Korean research team has provided us with a way to reimagine the infinite energy edge.