Fusion Energy, Future Energy: China delivers crucial device to ITER project

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China has developed a new technology that could help realize the dream of nuclear fusion energy. Magnetic supports are key components of a French-based reactor project - of which China is a partner. At a special ceremony in China's Guizhou Province, experts expressed confidence that fusion energy will soon be a reality. Our Yang Jinghao has more.

A great step forward in fusion energy utilization. Magnet supports – important components of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project, or ITER, made their debut Saturday, eight years after China's Southwest Institute of Physics started the research and development.

LUO DELONG, DIRECTOR ITER CHINA DOMESTIC AGENCY "Magnets are necessary for the project. We need strong support working in a harsh environment with a very strong magnetic field and very low temperature. So the design and manufacturing of such support is very very difficult."

YANG JINGHAO ZUNYI, GUIZHOU "These sophisticated devices are ready for delivery to the project's headquarters in France. They will be the first basic components installed in the plant. With them, the ITER project is expected to advance to a new stage before long."

Jointly funded by the EU, US, China and four other countries, ITER is the largest international scientific cooperation project in the world. It is committed to exploring commercial use of fusion power, energy like that from the sun, to make the world's power supply sustainable.

CORNELIS BEEMSTERBOER SENIOR ENGINEER, ITER "Fusion is a very stable process, the only thing you need is water. It's safe. The risk is very low. There is little radioactive waste while the fission reactor will remain thousands of years, so it,s a great opportunity for the future as a source for energy for people."

China has supplied both funding and research experts since it joined the ambitious scheme in 2006. Its team has helped manufacture 18 different categories of crucial parts. Now the delivery of the magnet supports demonstrates the country's accomplishments in key technologies in the project.

LIU YONG, PRESIDENT SOUTHWEST INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS "The completion of this batch of products is a milestone. It means that we have made technical breakthroughs, and I'm confident that we'll be able to deliver the remaining magnet supports on time, as well as other key components we undertake."

According to the ITER's plan, the first operational test is scheduled for 2025, while the full operation is slated for 2035. By then, experts say people may be getting their energy in safer, more environmentally-friendly ways. But that relies on continuous joint efforts from all member countries. Yang Jinghao, CGTN, Zunyi, Guizhou Province.