India is advancing plans to develop fusion energy through the Steady-state Superconducting Tokamak-Bharat (SST-Bharat). The project aims to build a fusion-fission hybrid reactor with a power output five times greater than its input. The team at the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) envisions a 130 MW plant where 100 MW comes from fission and the rest from fusion. The goal is to commission a full-scale demonstration reactor by 2060 with a power ratio of 20 and output of 250 MW.
Fusion Power – Concept and Advantages
Fusion is the process of combining two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing massive energy. It powers stars and offers cleaner energy than fission. Fusion produces less radioactive waste and reduces long-term storage issues. Achieving controlled fusion requires extreme conditions similar to the sun’s core, making it a complex challenge.
Methods of Achieving Fusion
Two main techniques exist – inertial confinement and magnetic confinement. Inertial confinement uses lasers to compress fuel capsules. Magnetic confinement, the preferred method in India, uses magnetic fields to contain superheated plasma at 100 million degrees Celsius inside a doughnut-shaped vessel called a tokamak. India participates in the ITER project in France, which aims to demonstrate fusion at a Q value of 10.
Current Status of Fusion Research in India
India’s SST-1 tokamak has produced plasma for 650 milliseconds and aims for 16 minutes. SST-Bharat will be the next step, targeting steady-state operation and electricity generation. Maintaining plasma stability is crucial for continuous fusion. The WEST tokamak in France recently sustained plasma for 22 minutes, marking a global record.
Technological Innovations and Challenges
Researchers propose digital twins—virtual models of reactors—to simulate and optimise fusion conditions. Machine learning will assist plasma control, and new radiation-resistant materials are under development. These advances are essential but still in early stages. The high cost of fusion R&D and construction remains a major hurdle.
Global Fusion Landscape and India’s Position
The UK aims to build a prototype fusion plant by 2040. The US private sector targets commercial fusion in the 2030s. China’s EAST tokamak leads in plasma duration records. India’s 2060 timeline is cautious and longer, reflecting limited funding and public-sector dominance. Private sector involvement is minimal compared to global trends.
Economic and Strategic Considerations
Fusion’s economic viability is uncertain due to high costs and competition from cheaper renewables and fission. Experts caution that fusion power affordability is not guaranteed. However, fusion R&D can boost strategic technologies like superconductors and plasma physics. Collaboration with ITER and international firms could enhance India’s technological autonomy.
Policy and Energy Context
Fusion development competes with India’s commitments to net zero emissions by 2070 and expansion of solar and wind energy. Nuclear fission remains an established energy source. Fusion is a long-term, high-risk investment. Optimism prevails due to global fusion momentum and potential future breakthroughs.
Questions for UPSC:
- Point out the challenges and opportunities in integrating nuclear fusion into India’s energy mix with respect to renewable energy sources.
- Critically analyse the role of international collaborations like ITER in advancing India’s nuclear fusion research and technological capabilities.
- Estimate the economic viability of emerging energy technologies in India and discuss the factors influencing their adoption in the energy sector.
- What are the environmental implications of nuclear fusion compared to fission and fossil fuels? How can fusion power contribute to India’s climate goals?
