Are We Finally on the Road to Fusion Power?

The Joint European Torus (JET) facility in Oxford announced a breakthrough in nuclear fusion, doubling the previous record for sustained energy. While JET's experiment didn't achieve net energy, it sets the stage for the larger ITER project in France, expected to start in 2025. Fusion, a clean energy source, involves fusing atomic nuclei under extreme conditions, using devices like Tokamaks. Despite challenges, fusion holds promise for future energy needs, though it won't solve immediate climate issues.

What are the main challenges that have prevented nuclear fusion from breaking even in energy output?

Describe the process by which a hypothetical fusion plant would generate energy.

How do the isotopes deuterium and tritium contribute to the fusion process?

What recent achievement did the JET facility announce regarding nuclear fusion energy?

Explain the significance of the upcoming ITER experiment in relation to the JET facility's findings.

Discuss the implications of the statement that fusion energy could produce as much energy as 29 billion tons of coal.

What potential benefits does fusion energy offer compared to fossil fuels?