The European Jet experimental reactor, one of the world's largest and most powerful machines built to produce clean energy from nuclear fusion, namely by imitating the process that takes place in the heart of stars, ended its career with an absolute record, producing 69 megajoules of energy for 5 seconds using just 0.2 milligrams of fuel. The results of the experiment named Dte3, which took place on October 3, 2023, represent "a milestone in the field of fusion science and engineering", according to European experts at an online press conference organised by the European Eurofusion consortium, of which Italy is one of 31 countries taking part.
Though it will still be many years before fusion power plants are seen in operation, the possibility of obtaining a durable, clean source of energy from inexpensive materials is now a little closer.
Dte3, which involved at least 300 researchers, was the last major test of the reactor that had been active in Great Britain for 40 years before being retired from service at the end of last year.
Italy participates in the Eurofusion consortium through the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), the National Research Council (CNR), the Rfx consortium and a number of universities.
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