In News:

• Researchers at the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar, have unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for India’s fusion energy programme.
• This initiative aims to develop the country’s first fusion electricity generator, Steady-state Superconducting Tokamak–Bharat (SST-Bharat), and ultimately commission a demonstration reactor by 2060.
• The roadmap signifies a major step in India’s pursuit of sustainable, high-yield, and low-waste energy alternatives.

Understanding Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion is the process where two light atomic nuclei (like isotopes of hydrogen) merge to form a heavier nucleus, releasing immense energy—similar to the reactions that power the Sun.
It differs from nuclear fission, where heavy atoms split apart to release energy.

Advantages of Fusion over Fission

• Minimal radioactive waste and no long-term storage challenges.
• Abundant fuel sources (deuterium from water, tritium from lithium).
• No greenhouse gas emissions and no meltdown risk.
• High energy density, offering a virtually limitless energy source.

India’s Current Fusion Research Base

• SST-1 Tokamak (IPR, Gandhinagar): India’s first steady-state superconducting tokamak, designed for plasma research. It has achieved plasma duration of ~650 milliseconds, with potential to reach 16 minutes.
• Participation in ITER (France): India contributes technology, components, and funding to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the world’s largest magnetic confinement experiment aimed at demonstrating a Q-value (output/input ratio) of 10.

India’s Fusion Power Roadmap

1. The SST-Bharat Project

• A fusion-fission hybrid reactor proposed as India’s next major milestone.
• Expected output: 130 MW (100 MW from fission, 30 MW from fusion).
• Estimated cost: ?25,000 crore.
• Efficiency target: Five times the input power.
• Acts as a bridge technology toward achieving pure fusion energy.

2. Demonstration Reactor (By 2060)

• Planned 250 MW full-scale reactor.
• Target Q-value: 20 (i.e., producing 20 times more energy than input).
• Will use magnetic confinement, heating plasma to over 100 million°C — much hotter than the Sun’s core (15 million°C).

Technological Innovations Proposed

• Digital Twinning: Creating virtual replicas of tokamak systems to test and optimise operations before physical construction.
• Machine Learning-Assisted Plasma Control: Using AI for real-time monitoring and stability of plasma.
• Radiation-Resistant Materials: Essential for reactor longevity and safety.
• Superconducting Magnet Development: To maintain continuous plasma confinement efficiently.

Global Benchmarks and India’s Position

While global players pursue faster timelines, India’s approach is cautious but strategic, focused on self-reliance and steady technological progress.

Challenges in India’s Fusion Path

Technological

• Sustaining stable plasma for long durations.
• Achieving Q > 1 (self-sustaining fusion).
• Developing durable superconducting magnets and radiation-resistant materials.

Financial

• High costs: SST-Bharat alone costs ?25,000 crore.
• Competing priorities: Solar, wind, and fission projects receive higher funding.
• Limited private-sector participation compared to global trends.

Policy and Governance

• Absence of a dedicated fusion energy regulatory framework.
• Need for integrated policy support under India’s Net Zero 2070 commitments.

Economic Viability

Experts like M.V. Ramana (University of British Columbia) caution that commercial fusion power remains economically unproven, and timelines are often optimistic. High R&D and construction costs could make fusion electricity expensive compared to renewables.

Strategic and Technological Significance

Even if commercial viability takes time, fusion R&D brings collateral benefits:

• Advances in plasma physics, superconducting technology, and high-temperature materials.
• Development of radiation-hardened components for defence, space, and nuclear industries.
• Strengthened technological autonomy and enhanced participation in global research networks.