Sophia Mecklai

What are the similarities and differences in domestic licensing projection between fission and fusion for power reactors and how will this affect fusion power plant regulations in the future?

Started July 1, 2024

Abstract or project description

Nuclear fusion is the potential future for renewable energy sources. However, it does not have to be a futuristic idea. Nuclear fission produces nearly zero carbon or other greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are many drawbacks to this form of nuclear power. Nuclear fission uses dangerous elements, for example, U-235, that is not only limited on earth, but can also cause chain reactions resulting in large scale explosions. Scientists can look at another form of energy. Nuclear fusion. This process lacks a chain reaction as energy is created by getting the fuel hot enough and containing it extremely tight so the components can collide and fuse. However, nuclear fusion is still an extremely new idea. Before a power plant can be up and running there are many factors including licensing and regulations being listed out and for fission reactors this can take over a decade. As a result of its newness, fusion does not have these yet. The most important question comes down to this, should fusion reactors be regulated in the same way as fission reactors especially in relation to regulations.