"Innovative Fusion Reactor Development Accelerates Commercialization of Fusion Energy"

Accelerating Fusion Energy Realization Through Public-Private Cooperation
Forum Highlights the Need for Innovative Fusion Reactors and Industry Collaboration

Choi Won-ho, a professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), stated, "It is necessary to develop an innovative fusion reactor incorporating advanced technologies such as high-temperature superconductors and artificial intelligence (AI), which can accelerate the commercialization of fusion energy."

At the 'Public-Private Cooperation Fusion Energy Realization Acceleration Strategy Forum' held on the afternoon of the 1st at the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy by the Ministry of Science and ICT, a large number of domestic fusion experts including Professor Choi participated, discussing various tasks to get ahead in the global fusion energy competition.

In response to the recent increase in energy demand due to AI and digitalization across all industries, major fusion countries are presenting ambitious goals to advance power demonstration to the 2030s to 2040s based on cooperation with private companies.

In particular, promising fusion companies centered in the United States are actively developing 'innovative fusion reactors' such as small tokamaks or lasers focused on miniaturization to achieve early commercialization of fusion energy.

Lee Chang-yoon, 1st Vice Minister of Science and ICT. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Seven countries, including the United States, are jointly acquiring design, manufacturing, and operation technologies through the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project under development, while simultaneously pursuing their own innovation strategies such as miniaturization of fusion reactors.

The forum featured in-depth discussions focusing on the concept and necessity of innovative fusion reactors and public-private cooperation strategies.

Yoon Si-woo, Deputy Director of the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, proposed a 'Korean-style innovative fusion reactor' that is smaller but performs better than existing tokamak-type fusion devices through the 'Proposal of Key Parameters and Stepwise Promotion Strategy for Introducing Innovative Fusion Reactors,' presenting a phased implementation strategy for the successful realization of innovative fusion reactors and emphasizing the need to establish a public-private cooperation model.

During the panel discussion, experts from industry, academia, and research sectors discussed the feasibility of introducing innovative fusion reactors, creating a fusion industry ecosystem, expanding private sector participation, and strategies to revitalize research and development (R&D) investment, exploring the practical commercialization potential of fusion technology.

Lee Chang-yoon, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "It is now time to prepare concrete execution strategies to undertake challenging tasks in anticipation of the commercialization of fusion energy," adding, "We will do our best to promote the development of innovative fusion reactors through this forum and strengthen cooperation among industry, academia, and research to lead the global fusion demonstration market."