Wendelstein 7-X: Greifswald's path to the clean energy of the future

Wendelstein 7-X: Greifswald's path to the clean energy of the future

promise of a clean and almost inexhaustible energy source-that is the goal of the core fusion experiment "Wendelstein 7-X" in Greifswald. After extensive maintenance and improvement measures, the project is now starting a new experimental phase. Critics doubt the realistic opportunities of the core fusion, but the researchers are determined to continue making ahead.

With the commissioning of the system, considerable progress has already been made in the past experiment phase. Earlier attempts in 2023 have shown that it is possible to maintain a plasma that is essential for the core fusion for several minutes and maintain it at extremely high temperatures. The technical improvements that have now been implemented should make it possible to further increase these temperatures and thus to get the 100 million degrees required for the core fusion.

preparations for the rocket start

The intensive preparation for the new phase can be compared with a rocket start. Not only technical adjustments were required, but also a precise cooling of the special magnets that should keep the plasma controlled. This cooling ensures that the magnets are cooled down to temperatures of minus 270 degrees.

A large number of experimental proposals have been received. From more than 740 suggestions, 200 were classified as particularly promising and selected for the nearest attempts. Around 100 researchers and engineers are active on site, supported by existing international teams from Europe, the USA and Japan, which are added during the experiment phase.

The great ambitions of the project

"Wendelstein 7-X" is considered one of the world's leading systems to produce hot plasma over longer periods. With the upcoming experiment phase, the researchers want to take a top position and learn more about the nuclear fusion. Experiments are planned until December and again from February to May, followed by a maintenance phase before you go to the long -term goal: to achieve a operating time of up to half an hour, which would simulate permanent operation. This could lay crucial foundations for future nuclear fusion power plants.

also face this ambitious project. The previous costs for "Wendelstein 7-X" already exceed one billion euros. Skeptics argue that the nuclear fusion is not only far too expensive, but could also come too late to have significant effects on energy generation. Against these concerns it is emphasized that the renovation of the energy system is a major challenge that is not completed by reaching the greenhouse gas neutrality by 2045. The need for further energy sources will increase steadily, and the nuclear fusion could be a valuable option if it is researched in good time.