Fusion MIA from clean energy discussion at PPPL - How do we join the conversation?
(0) CommentsThe New Jersey Technology Council hosted a Clean Energy Summit at Princeton Plasma Physics Lab September 23rd. Since I’m newly arrived in the Garden State, it was a great event for providing an overview of the local clean energy landscape, with many representatives and speakers from the state’s energy agencies. The fact that half of electricity in New Jersey comes from nuclear fission was certainly brought up, but it was disappointing that at a venue dedicated to creating “A World Powered By Fusion Energy,” I don’t recall a single speaker uttering that other “F” word. And that extends to not even a mention of NSTX or other PPPL investigations. (Just to be clear: IFusion!)
The displays in the PPPL lobby suggest why: They promise fusion power into the grid some 30-35 years from now, which doesn’t make for a very tempting proposition relative to the world’s near-term affordable clean energy needs. How do we inject into the conversation a diversity of potentially near-term fusion approaches—including ideas from the many talented researchers of PPPL? And can we raise a ruckus for fusion without distracting from currently available and proven renewables?
For starters, remarks by BPU President Lee Solomon suggest it could be time to revisit the issue of classifying at least aneutronic fusion as a “Class I renewable.” While there isn’t much funding at the state level for R&D, that could at least reduce the giggle factor facing those who would like to pursue serious research, and influence decision-making at the federal level. We might still be half-baked as an entree, but it’s time to get on the clean energy dessert menu! Especially when aneutronic fusion is the soufflé you have to order half an hour in advance.
Reaching out to local green or even general community organizations will be another great step. If your group would like a general interest presentation on the exciting developments taking place in fusion research—from NIF to the dense plasma focus and beyond—contact the Focus Fusion Society and we will get a speaker your way, wherever you are, virtually if need be! Or in the more likely event that your group is the Focus Fusion Society (because you’ve paid your membership dues, right?!), think about the other groups you’re involved with and let us know in the comments what kind of “pitch” would help raise the level of fusion awareness for them.
If—like me until the other week—you are far from the Garden State, who are the stakeholders that need to be informed about fusion in your area? Would you call up your local Rotary or Sierra Club to give a talk if we shared a general presentation and script, a la the Climate Project? (And for the record, the Mars Society did it first!) Let us know in the comments and don’t be afraid to start the conversation yourself!
The Somerset County Business Partnership also hosted a discussion of low-cost PR strategies on the morning of September 22nd. Local tech writer Bob Baker’s overview of “Making the News without Breaking the Bank” suggested some new FFS educational initiatives will definitely get people talking, along with fulfilling our educational mission by getting kids excited about science in general. Stay tuned! (Or if you’re an educator otherwise interested, get in touch to help us develop materials!)
In the meantime, enjoy a few images I took of my fun and enlightening day rubbing elbows with the clean energy movers and shakers of NJ. Now to mix in the fusioneers—And don’t worry, I said the “F” word plenty!
;-Derek
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