Everything Electric Podcast

The Fully Charged Show

Is Fusion Really 30 Years Away?

OCT 12, 202655 MIN

Description

Is fusion still "always 30 years away"? STEP Fusion's program director, Dr James Cowan, sets out the UK's plan to build a prototype commercial fusion plant by 2040, covering the engineering, supply chains, funding and economics as well as the physics. 00:00 Intro 02:29 What is STEP Fusion? 04:13 Why fusion isn't "always 30 years away" 07:33 How fusion works, and the neutron problem 18:59 What STEP is building at West Burton 24:00 Delivery plan: partners and a 2030 construction start 32:12 Who pays for it? Funding and the commercial route 34:38 Cost, baseload power and fit with renewables 45:19 When will fusion reach the grid? 48:49 Cost overruns and lessons from nuclear Check out our sister channel Everything Electric CARS: https://www.youtube.com/@fullychargedshow Support our StopBurningStuff campaign: https://www.patreon.com/STOPBurningStuff Become an Everything Electric Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fullychargedshow Become a YouTube member: use JOIN button above Buy the Fully Charged Guide to Electric Vehicles & Clean Energy : https://buff.ly/2GybGt0 Subscribe for episode alerts and the Everything Electric newsletter: https://fullycharged.show/zap-sign-up/ Visit: https://FullyCharged.Show Find us on X: https://x.com/Everyth1ngElec Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/officialeverythingelectric #fullychargedshow #everythingelectricshow #homeenergy #cleanenergy #battery #electriccars #electric-vehicles-uk