La FUSION nucléaire est-elle l'énergie de demain ? On visite ITER pour y répondre

Nuclear fusion has captivated scientists for over 80 years. Tens of billions of euros are being invested in its development, and colossal construction projects are underway around the world. In the midst of an energy and climate crisis, the promise of carbon-free, secure energy in virtually unlimited quantities is certainly enticing. But isn't it all a little too good to be true? In Cadarache, in the south of France, a futuristic project is currently under construction. From the road, the top of a glass cube, several tens of meters high, is visible. Cranes are busy around the unusual structure, but for those curious, it's impossible to see more. The site is protected by a substantial security infrastructure. And for good reason: this is where the world's largest nuclear fusion reactor will soon stand. A project called ITER, for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. Nuclear fusion, not to be confused with nuclear fission, which is already used in Belgian power plants, is an energy production method that has occupied scientists since the 1950s. The ambitious goal is to recreate an artificial sun on Earth. "We take very small atoms and try to fuse them," explains Vincent Massaut, deputy director at SNK-CEN in Mol. "With this method, we can recover nearly a million times more energy than by burning fuels," the engineer continues. And that's not the only promise! This technique emits very few greenhouse gases, making it a valuable tool in the fight against climate change. "It's a very high-intensity, non-intermittent, carbon-free energy source, so it compensates for the weaknesses of renewable energies," says Alain Becoulet, head of the engineering domain at ITER. Regarding the main limitations of nuclear energy as we know it today, fusion eliminates the risk of accidents and radioactive waste. So, to better understand how this new energy source works and how it could help us in the current energy crisis, LN24+ went on-site. A behind-the-scenes look at the world's largest nuclear fusion reactor. Thanks to: Sabina Griffith & Vincent Massaut ▶ Some additional resources on the ITER project and on fusion in general: Can Nuclear Fusion Save Us? - The Vortex:    • La fusion nucléaire peut-elle nous sauver ...   Inside ITER - Monsieur Bidouille:    • ☀️À l'intérieur d'ITER - Visite du chantie...   Is ITER Already Obsolete? - Mr. Bidouille:    • ☀️ ITER est il obsolète ? - L'avenir de la...   From the Sun to ITER: A History of Fusion - I'm not getting angry, I'm explaining:    • ☀️ Soleil vs ITER : une Histoire de la FUS...   Thanks for watching this video, and see you next week for another analysis! 2022 - LN24 +