The bulk of the world's energy has come from burning fossil fuels. However, the reserves are rapidly being depleted, and the only way to meet our increasing energy demands is to develop alternative energy sources, such as renewable energy and nuclear fusion. The potential for fusion to provide a virtually inexhaustible source of energy without producing carbon dioxide emissions highlights the critical role fusion energy could play in providing a sustainable energy solution to meet increasing energy demands.

Fusion Energy - a brief explanation

Fusion energy is a method of generating power that mimics the nuclear fusion process observed in the sun. This involves combining two light atomic nuclei to create a heavier nucleus, which releases energy in the process.

To enable the fusion of isotopes of hydrogen, such as deuterium and tritium, specific conditions involving extremely high temperatures and pressure need to be created.

The main ways in which fusion energy is harnessed, or is being explored, to create usable energy:

Magnetic Confinement Fusion (Tokomak and Stellarator designs)

• Tokamak designs represent an advanced approach to magnetic confinement fusion technology. Essentially, this device utilizes a powerful magnetic field to confine plasma in the shape of a torus or a doughnut. Progress in tokamak technology is bringing us closer to achieving consistent and high-density energy from fusion.
• A stellarator is similar to a tokamak but uses a more complex magnetic field geometry to confine the plasma. It eliminates the need for pulsed operation (a limitation in tokamaks), offering continuous operation, which could be advantageous for sustained fusion reactions.

Inertial Confinement Fusion

• In this method, a small pellet of hydrogen fuel is subjected to an intense burst of energy (often from high-powered lasers). The energy rapidly compresses and heats the fuel, causing the atomic nuclei to fuse. The idea is to achieve a very high temperature and pressure for a very short period of time, long enough for fusion to occur.

Direct Energy Conversion

• Some advanced concepts explore the possibility of directly converting the kinetic energy of charged particles produced by fusion into electricity, bypassing the traditional steam-turbine system. This could greatly improve the efficiency of fusion energy systems.
• This method could make fusion more efficient by reducing energy losses associated with thermal energy conversion.

Hybrid Fusion-Fission Reactors

• Fusion reactions are used to produce neutrons that help sustain fission reactions in a subcritical fission reactor.

Fusion-Driven Hydrogen Production

• The heat produced from fusion could be used to drive thermochemical processes that split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen can then be used as a clean fuel or an energy carrier in various applications.  This approach could produce green hydrogen at a much larger scale, helping industries transition away from fossil fuels.

Neutron Driven Industrial Processes

• The neutrons produced by fusion reactions can be used for materials research, medical isotope production, or transmutation of nuclear waste. This could open new opportunities in fields such as medicine, where certain isotopes are used in imaging and treatment, or nuclear waste management, where fusion neutrons can help break down long-lived radioactive elements.

Fusion energy, with its promise of minimal environmental impact and abundant fuel supplies, represents one of the most exciting areas in the quest for sustainable, large-scale energy solutions. It can produce 20 to 100 million times more energy than the chemical reaction of fossil fuels, it does not release carbon dioxide gases, and the fuel required for fusion is abundant and widely available.

In contrast to renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy, fusion energy is not reliant on inconsistent weather conditions. Fusion reactors have the potential to generate large amounts of energy using a relatively small physical footprint relative to solar and wind farms, which require significantly large land areas.

However, despite its advantages, fusion energy faces challenges. The technology required to achieve and maintain the conditions for fusion is complex and expensive compared to other energy sources. Additionally, the materials needed to contain the high-energy plasma are still under development, and while the fuel for fusion is abundant, the infrastructure for fuel supply is not yet fully established.

Further research and technological breakthroughs aim to overcome these challenges to make fusion a viable and sustainable source of energy for the future. Dynex has the capabilities and expertise to be part of this development with the supply of our controlled rectifiers and customised pulse power thyristors designed to meet your specific needs and applications.  

Semiconductor devices are crucial in fusion applications for controlling and converting power needed in systems like magnetic confinement, plasma heating, and diagnostics. Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs), thyristors, and diodes handle high voltages and currents for power conversion, switching, and control.

Dynex has full control of the design and manufacture of our semiconductors, so we are able to work collaboratively with researchers to optimise our devices to suit their application and support their research. Our Power Assemblies Department can support the design of the whole mechanical arrangement for converters, providing an electrical, mechanical and thermal design service.

Controlled rectifiers in Fusion Technology

Controlled rectifiers are an important component in the field of power electronics, especially when it comes to applications like fusion energy. They are used to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) and allow for the control of the output voltage by adjusting the firing angle of thyristors.

In the context of fusion energy, controlled rectifiers can be employed in various subsystems of a fusion reactor, such as in the power supplies that manage plasma heating and in the systems that control the magnetic fields used to confine the plasma. The ability to adjust the DC output is essential for precise control over the plasma conditions, which is a critical aspect of maintaining a stable fusion reaction.

Controlled rectifiers are integral to the advancement of fusion technology, as they contribute to the efficient and controlled delivery of power within the reactor, which is necessary for achieving and sustaining the high-temperature plasma required for fusion reactions.

Pulse Power Thyristors used in fusion energy research

Pulse power thyristors are electronic components used to control and switch high-power pulses in various applications, including the power supply systems for large fusion devices. These high-power thyristor devices contribute to the safe and efficient operation of fusion reactors. 

Additionally, power electronic designs, including fast switching power electronics and air-cooled rectifier assemblies, are integral to supporting fusion energy research. These components are used to control electric fields and stabilize the plasma within tokamak designs. Pulse Power Thyristors were specifically designed for laboratory experiments and are now being utilized to support fusion energy research efforts.

Dynex has provided converter designs to support Fusion Energy research efforts around the globe. Our vertically integrated supply chain enables us to understand our semiconductors and their performance, as well as tailor our devices to the specific requirements of the application.

Contact our Power Assemblies Department who can support the design of the whole mechanical arrangement for these converters, providing an electrical, mechanical, and thermal design service.