Nuclear fusion, the energy set to revolutionise global energy production

Although our contemporary societies are sustained by science and technology, only a minority really understand how they work. Doing science implies delving into the unknown and relying, above all, on self-correction methods based on the available evidence. This approach makes it possible to test the limits of knowledge while examining the science of those limits, as is the case with fusion energy. In this short article, we will address the challenges we need to overcome to make fusion energy a reality for society.

Imagining and shaping the future of energy

Energy is the engine of contemporary society. To move towards sustainable development, new generation, conversion and storage strategies are required, a major challenge in a context where the dynamics of energy markets are increasingly determined by population growth, increased demand and geopolitical factors. It is a global challenge that requires a vision of the future and a coherent and sustained energy policy, capable of strengthening the mutually beneficial relationship between education, research and innovation. Few things distinguish human beings as much as their ability to imagine and shape the future through the alliance between science and technology. An emblematic example is the aspiration to dominate the energy that moves the universe: nuclear fusion. It is also convenient to give memory the place it deserves, as it helps us to recognize the time scales and alliances necessary to make our dreams come true. Since the physical processes that power the Sun and stars were unraveled in the first third of the twentieth century, humanity has maintained a sustained effort to take advantage of fusion as a source of energy. This commitment not only reveals our curiosity and our desire to excel, but also the ability to translate scientific knowledge into technologies with transformative and sustainable potential for society.

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