How BC Company General Fusion Closing In On Elusive Nuclear Fusion Dream | Earth.Org – Past | Present

In 1938, a brilliant scientist named Hans Bethe proved that fusing atoms rather than splitting them, a process called cold fusion, produces the enormous energy emitted by stars. It is the Holy Grail of scientists because it generates cheap, limitless and environmentally clean energy. A British Columbia startup called General Fusion is getting close to developing the world’s first fusion power plant. In June 2021, the company announced that it would build and operate its Fusion Demonstration Plant outside of London to prove their concept.

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The joke about nuclear fusion energy is that it’s 30 years away and always will be, but it remains science’s Holy Grail because it generates cheap, limitless clean energy. Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms are squeezed together so…