India’s Fusion Energy Ambition: SST-Bharat and the 2060 Prototype
Context:
- Researchers at the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar, have unveiled India’s fusion energy roadmap.
- The plan focuses on developing SST-Bharat, a superconducting tokamak, and aims to achieve a demonstration fusion reactor by 2060.
- This initiative is a key step in India’s pursuit of clean, sustainable, and high-density energy sources, aligning with the Net Zero 2070 target.
1. Understanding Nuclear Fusion
- Nuclear Fusion: The process of joining light nuclei (e.g., hydrogen isotopes) to form heavier nuclei, releasing massive energy.
- Fusion vs. Fission: Unlike fission (splitting heavy atoms), fusion generates energy by combining light atoms.
- Advantages of Fusion:
- Minimal radioactive waste compared to fission.
- Abundant fuel: Deuterium from water, tritium from lithium.
- No greenhouse gas emissions, making it climate-friendly.
- Inherent safety: No risk of catastrophic meltdown.
2. India’s Fusion Energy Plans
Current Research Base:
- SST-1 Tokamak (IPR, Gandhinagar): Research reactor capable of plasma duration up to 650 milliseconds.
- Participation in ITER (France): India contributes technology and funding to the world’s largest magnetic confinement experiment.
Roadmap Highlights:
- SST-Bharat: A fusion-fission hybrid reactor, producing ~130 MW (100 MW fission, 30 MW fusion), estimated cost ₹25,000 crore.
- Demonstration Reactor (2060): Targeted 250 MW output, with a Q factor of 20 (20x energy output relative to input).
Innovations Proposed:
- Digital twinning for plasma simulation.
- Machine learning-assisted plasma confinement.
- Development of radiation-resistant materials.
International Benchmarks:
- UK STEP programme: Prototype by 2040.
- US Start-ups: Grid-connected fusion targeted by 2030s.
- China’s EAST Tokamak: World record for plasma duration.
- France WEST Tokamak: Maintained plasma for 22 minutes (2025).
3. Key Features of India’s Fusion Strategy
- Magnetic confinement using tokamaks: Ultra-hot plasma confined with powerful magnetic fields, replicating stellar conditions.
- Steady-state superconducting technology: Superconducting magnets enable continuous plasma confinement with minimal energy loss.
- Fusion-fission hybrid approach: SST-Bharat combines fusion with fission, providing stability while transitioning to pure fusion.
- State-led R&D: Primarily led by IPR and Department of Atomic Energy, with limited private-sector involvement.
- Alignment with Net Zero 2070: Fusion energy complements solar, wind, and fission, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
4. Challenges Ahead
Technological:
- Sustaining high-temperature plasma for long durations.
- Achieving Q > 1 consistently (India targets 20, ITER aims for 10).
- Developing durable superconducting magnets and radiation-resistant materials.
Financial:
- High cost of SST-Bharat (₹25,000 crore).
- Competition with cheaper renewables (solar, wind).
- Lack of private investment compared to US/Europe.
Policy & Governance:
- No clear legislative or regulatory framework for fusion energy.
- Current energy priorities focus on solar, wind, and nuclear fission.
Global Competition:
- Western and Chinese projects target earlier timelines (2030s–2040s).
- India’s 2060 target may risk technological lag.
Economic Viability:
- Fusion electricity affordability remains unproven.
- Risk of cost overruns and long gestation periods.
5. Way Forward
- R&D Boost: Increase funding for plasma physics, superconductors, AI-based simulations.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage Indian start-ups to engage in fusion research.
- International Collaboration: Collaborate with ITER, UK STEP, US start-ups, and China’s EAST programme.
- Policy Framework: Establish a National Fusion Energy Mission under NITI Aayog/DAE.
- Skill Development: Train engineers, physicists, and technicians in fusion sciences.
- Strategic Applications: Use spin-off technologies (superconducting magnets, radiation-resistant alloys) for defence, space, and industrial sectors.
Conclusion:
- India’s fusion roadmap balances ambition with fiscal prudence, aiming for a demonstration reactor by 2060.
- Even if commercial fusion is decades away, spin-off innovations in superconductivity, plasma modeling, and materials science will strengthen India’s technological base.
- This strategy ensures India emerges as a co-creator, not just a consumer, in the global clean energy revolution, supporting a sustainable and secure energy future.
Source : The Hindu
