At the Alfvén Laboratory at KTH, plasma is heated up to a million degrees. The idea is to replicate the sun's environment, where hydrogen atoms under colossal pressure are compressed and become helium atoms. The byproduct is enormous amounts of energy.
Actually, we need to reach even higher temperatures to compensate for the pressure inside the sun. We cannot recreate that on Earth, says Peter Roos.
He is the CEO of the Swedish company Novatron Fusion Group and receives the visit in connection with the launch of the company's new facility at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.
When they heard that we are on the verge of finding the last missing piece to be able to build fusion power plants, they contacted us and wanted us to come to KTH, says Roos.
Breakthrough near
Several companies around the world are working to make fusion energy a reality, and all claim that the breakthrough is near. At the same time, research has claimed that the puzzle of fusion will be solved within thirty years since the 1920s, when nuclear energy was discovered.
I would say that it's less than thirty years. The most aggressive companies have a solution where they will be able to get out energy before 2030. It remains to be seen, but even if they miss the target by a few years, they are still doing very well, says Peter Roos.
We receive large amounts of private capital because the business community shares the picture that we are near a breakthrough. In addition, we have such computer power today that it is possible to do calculations and simulations incredibly quickly, he continues.
Good conditions in Sweden
In Sweden, there are a number of unique factors that are favorable for this type of activity, according to Peter Roos.
We stand out when it comes to innovation and entrepreneurship. I would say that this ability combined with the long tradition of advanced technological development makes Sweden a very good place for this type of technology.
It's no small words to say that you will provide the world with unlimited energy. Will you do that?
I speak for the entire fusion industry. What will humanity do when energy is no longer part of the equation, when energy is no longer what limits us? We will develop a technology that makes it possible. It's a thought-provoking idea.
