NJ Lawmaker Wants More Funding For Fusion Energy Research

Harnessing fusion energy could usher in a new era for the world. But according to a state lawmaker from New Jersey, it's a science that's chronically undervalued… and underfunded.

Last week, Sen. Joe Pennacchio, who represents the 26th District (Essex, Morris, Passaic counties), hosted a "Fusion Energy Symposium" at the State House Annex in Trenton.

The event drew experts from national laboratories, businesses and researchers in the field, who shared their research and ideas on the future of fusion energy. Participants included scientists from the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab, which Pennacchio called the "epicenter" of fusion energy research in New Jersey.

Watch a video from the May 23 symposium below.

Some of the questions posed at the forum included:

• How can we speed up the prospect of fusion energy development?
• What are the state, national and international projects now being developed?
• What businesses in New Jersey are already involved in these projects, and how would a national commitment affect such activity?
• How would full funding for fusion development play itself out in terms of American education and the training of researchers and scientists in American universities?
• What is happening in China, Russia, Europe, and other countries regarding fusion development?

Pennacchio, a Republican, represents Butler, Fairfield, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Morris Plains, North Caldwell, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Rockaway Township, Verona, West Caldwell and West Milford.

Pennacchio offered the following statement about fusion energy and the need to fund research in its support.

"The harnessing of energy from fusion reactions would be a tremendous positive force for [humanity]. Unlike nuclear fission reactions in which energy is released when atoms are "split," fusion releases energy when atoms are "joined" together. When two atoms are fused, the resultant "mass "of the combined atoms is less than the previous two, due to the release of a tremendous amount of energy. The difficulty is that the two atoms naturally repel each other. It takes an enormous amount of pressure and heat (six times the sun's core) to join them together. Look no further than the stars – our own sun — to witness the occurrence of constant fusion reactions. Unlike fission, fusion produces very little radioactive material. It also does not emit any CO2 into the environment.

"One approach to developing fusion as an energy source involves the use of helium-3 (H3) for fuel. This idea was pioneered in the United States at the University of Wisconsin Fusion Technology Institute. Some say H3 allows for a more containable and safer reaction. Where would we find abundant supplies of H3? The sun creates H3 through its fusion reactions, and sends it into the solar system through the electrically charged solar wind. Because of the Earth's magnetic field, the H3 is repulsed. The moon, however, does not have a magnetic field, and so does not have this limitation. The moon has an estimated 25 million surface tons of H3 available. Twenty-five tons of H3 could power the entire United States for one year. It is no coincidence that the Chinese have recently landed a spacecraft on the far side of the moon, and are discussing the mining of helium-3.

"Princeton was and is a leader in the study and development of fusion energy. The "Princeton Plasma Physics Lab" (PPPL) was critical to adopting the "Tokamak Fusion Reactor" design in the United States. The U.S., however, has, for years, been consistently underfunding its research. A seven member ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) program, with the goal of generating "net energy" 10x the input — 500 mw generated in a tokamak fusion device from 50 mw input – is located in France. Why shouldn't the epicenter of this research remain and continue to be in Princeton, New Jersey?"

• See related article: Energy Interests, Hospitals Among NJ's Top-Spending Political Lobbyists
• See related article: Hoboken College Professor Making Cheap, Portable Solar Panels

Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com