Fusion Energy Science Program

Stored: Fusion Energy Science Program

Fusion Energy Science Program

Type	Program
Sponsor Organization	Office of Fusion Energy Sciences
Top Organization	Department of Energy
Creation Legislation	N/A
Website	Website
Purpose	Advances fusion energy science, building foundations for clean, safe, limitless power through plasma and tech research.
Program Start	1980
Initial Funding
Duration	Indefinite
Historic	No

Fusion Energy Science Program is dedicated to advancing the understanding of the physics of plasmas and to exploring fusion as a viable energy source.

By supporting research in both basic and applied sciences, this program seeks to lay the groundwork for fusion energy technologies that could offer a clean, virtually inexhaustible energy supply, contributing significantly to global energy needs without greenhouse gas emissions.

Official Site

Goals

• Advance the scientific understanding of fusion plasmas.
• Develop the technology and materials necessary for fusion reactors.
• Contribute to the international effort towards practical fusion energy.

Organization

The Fusion Energy Science Program is managed by the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) within the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. It funds research at universities, national laboratories, and through international collaborations. The program is led by the Associate Director for FES, with funding coming from the DOE's science budget.

The leader of the program holds the title/position of **Associate Director for Fusion Energy Sciences**.

Partners

• No specific partnerships are listed, but FES collaborates with numerous research institutions, including universities, national labs, and international fusion research programs like ITER.

History

Formally established within DOE in 1980, the Fusion Energy Science Program has roots in earlier fusion research from the 1950s. Over the decades, it has evolved from focusing on magnetic confinement fusion to include inertial confinement, plasma science, and materials research for fusion applications. Key historical events include U.S. participation in international projects like ITER (since 2006) and the development of major domestic facilities like the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.

Funding

While specific initial funding amounts are not detailed, the program has received consistent funding through DOE's Office of Science budget, with periodic increases based on national and international fusion research priorities. For instance, significant funding has been directed towards supporting U.S. contributions to ITER.

Implementation

Implementation involves:

• Funding research projects in fusion science and technology.
• Supporting the operation of experimental facilities like tokamaks and laser systems.
• Engaging in international collaborations to advance fusion science globally.

The program is designed to be ongoing, with no defined end date, as fusion research is seen as a long-term endeavor.

Related

• Office of Fusion Energy Sciences
• ITER

External links

• https://www.energy.gov/science/fes/fusion-energy-sciences
• wikipedia:Fusion Energy Science Program

Social media

• No specific social media accounts for the Fusion Energy Science Program; follow the Department of Energy for updates.