Stories tagged with "fusion"

Will Nuclear Fusion Fill the Gap Left by Peak Oil?

[editor's note, by Chris Vernon] This is a guest post by TOD member Nick Rouse. It was first published in January 2007, the discussion generated then can be read here.

On the 12th. of December 2006 the UK Magnetics Society held its annual commemorative event with an afternoon seminar followed by the Ewing Lecture. This year the focus was on magnetic fusion energy.

Nuclear fusion has evoked opinions in the various energy blogs ranging from “sixty years of failure and a certain dead end”, to “the reason why we do not need to worry about peak oil”. This event was a good opportunity to gain a clearer view of what part, if any, fusion energy could play in filling the gap as oil and then gas production peak and decline.

Crisis, what energy crisis?

The energy gap left by declining fossil Solar fuels may be filled by alternative sources of energy. In short, the Earth has ample supplies of energy to sustain human population and economic growth. Discuss....


This post is intended to provide a structured background to energy matters for new readers and hopefully to provide a provocative debate with seasoned Oil Drum veterans. A listing of over 50 links to Oil Drum articles from the past year is provided which combined provide a comprehensive overview of the issues surrounding peak oil and energy decline. If you are new to the site or have been lurking and want to ask a question then all you have to do is sign up and post your query. The Oil Drum is here to educate--and we are here to help.

Will Nuclear Fusion Fill the Gap Left by Peak Oil?

[editor's note, by Chris Vernon] This is a guest post by TOD member Nick Rouse.

On the 12th. of December 2006 the UK Magnetics Society held its annual commemorative event with an afternoon seminar followed by the Ewing Lecture. This year the focus was on magnetic fusion energy.

Nuclear fusion has evoked opinions in the various energy blogs ranging from “sixty years of failure and a certain dead end”, to “the reason why we do not need to worry about peak oil”. This event was a good opportunity to gain a clearer view of what part, if any, fusion energy could play in filling the gap as oil and then gas production peak and decline.