Former fusion scientist on why we won't have fusion power by 2040

What Hacker News said

Strong rec willis936 · 2021-09 · on “Fusion News Ignites Optimism”

I like being optimistic, but there is nothing to be optimistic about when it comes to producing electrical power from laser ICF. It's a weapons program. Also, I spent a few years as an engineer at a stellarator. This video[0] recently came out and I find it's the best crash course on the nuances of reactor design that I've seen. It really nails the thoughts and feelings of fusion researchers. It was especially refreshing to hear in public that ECRH is the only viable heating method for a reactor. If you watch this you might think I'm pessimistic about fusion, but I'm not. Fusion has been sold as this secret Ace up our sleeve that will come in and decarbonize our grid in a matter of decades.

Strong rec willis936 · 2021-10 · on “How close is nuclear fusion power?”

I haven't had a chance to watch this video yet, but the best video I've seen on fusion plant design came out in the past few weeks. It's titled "Former fusion scientist on why we won't have fusion by 2040". [this video] It really nails the feel of the fusion engineering community I've been in. Little things said in passing in this video don't show up in public facing videos (such as a reactor needing to be primarily heated via ECRH) yet are regular topics with experts.

Cites dcx · 2021-11 · on “The good things in the current age in tech”

It just so happens that a short while after I saw this comment, this [1] turned up on my recommendations feed. What would you say are the counterarguments that lead you to believe fusion is on the horizon? (Ideally in more specific terms than "when a distinguished but elderly scientist", etc.) Just to be clear, I don't personally have a position on this; I don't know enough about the field. But I'm very interested in understanding developments in energy production, as at the end of the day, this is humanity's only real source of leverage. [1] [this video]

Cites ergot_vacation · 2021-11 · on “Nuclear fusion is close enough to start dreaming”

I was hopeful for a bit, then I saw some stuff like this: [this video] and realized nothing has changed. It's the same old shit: reporters being willfully ignorant, business people misleading the public, and on and on. Wake me up when you have plans for a full-scale, fully-functional fusion plant that can actually be built in an economically feasible way. Until then, I don't care.

Cites cratermoon · 2022-10 · on “Fusion Energy Might Power the Grid by the 2030s”

Former fusion scientist on why we won't have fusion power by 2040: [this video] "Theres a famous saying that nuclear fusion is 30 years away and always will be"

Cites cratermoon · 2022-12 · on “U.S. to announce fusion energy ‘breakthrough’”

"The Department of Energy plans to announce Tuesday that scientists have been able for the first time to produce a fusion reaction that creates a net energy gain" Oh, just like this time in 2013, [LINK] , and this one in 2021 [LINK] Which definition of breakeven are they using this time? [this video]

Cites cratermoon · 2022-12 · on “US scientists boost clean power hopes with fusion energy breakthrough”

just like this time in 2013, [LINK] ..., and this one in 2021 [LINK] ... Which definition of breakeven are they using this time? [this video]