SST-Bharat Signifies India’s Arrival in the Global Fusion Competition

The researchers plan to create India's inaugural fusion electricity generator, known as the Steady-state Superconducting Tokamak-Bharat (SST-Bharat), featuring a power output five times greater than the input.

It will be a hybrid reactor combining fusion and fission, with 100 MW of the overall 130 MW generated by fission. The projected expenses for construction are Rs 25,000 crore.

By 2060, the team plans to establish a 250 MW demonstration reactor with a Q ratio of 20.

What is Nuclear Power?

Nuclear energy refers to the energy emitted during nuclear reactions, either by fission (the division of atomic nuclei) or by fusion (the combination of atomic nuclei).

In nuclear fission, heavy atomic nuclei like uranium or plutonium are divided into lighter nuclei, producing a significant amount of energy.

This method is employed in nuclear power stations to produce electricity.

Nuclear fusion process

It is a procedure where two light atomic nuclei merge to create a heavier nucleus, emitting a substantial amount of energy during the process.

This method is identical to the one that fuels stars, such as our sun.

The typical fusion reaction includes the hydrogen isotopes: deuterium and tritium.

When these isotopes combine, they create helium and emit a neutron, accompanied by a significant release of energy.

Importance of Fusion energy

Clean energy source: Nuclear fusion, similar to nuclear fission, does not release carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases into the air.

Superior energy efficiency: Fusion is capable of producing almost four times the energy per kilogram of fuel compared to fission and nearly four million times more energy than the combustion of coal or oil, rendering it significantly more effective than traditional energy sources.

Safer for Usage: Future fusion reactors are inherently safe and are not anticipated to generate high levels of activity or long-lasting nuclear waste.

Additionally, since initiating and sustaining the fusion process is challenging, there is no danger of an uncontrolled reaction or meltdown.

Ample and readily obtainable fuel resources: Fusion fuel is abundant and easily accessible.

Deuterium can be obtained at a low cost from ocean water.

Tritium can be produced through the reaction of fusion-generated neutrons with naturally available lithium.

What are the Obstacles?

Thermonuclear fusion demands incredibly high temperatures and pressures, usually in the millions of degrees Celsius, to surpass the electrostatic repulsion among nuclei.

Maintaining the reaction: After starting, the reaction needs to be self-sustaining (burning plasma).

Present laboratory experiments can maintain fusion for just a few seconds, which makes it challenging to uphold such extreme conditions for extended durations.

Rivalry with alternative energy sources: Fusion must contend with nuclear fission, solar, and wind energy, which are all presently more affordable and scalable.

Budget constraints in India: India's funding for fusion research is relatively small in comparison to the US, EU, and China.

Status Update on Fusion Energy Development

Indian Context: SST-1 (Institute for Plasma Research – IPR): This superconducting tokamak has succeeded in maintaining plasma confinement for around 650 milliseconds.

SST-Bharat is designed as the progression from SST-1, with the goal of transitioning from experimental studies to real electricity production.