I don't like the communication that's been set forth by LLNL and DOE, it has misled many people into thinking that fusion is a done deal and we're on our way to limitless, clean energy.
The reality is that charging up the lasers takes about 400 MJ, then due to very large inefficiencies you only get 2 MJ directed to the target, and they got out 3 MJ from the fusion reaction.
So we did not get more energy than we put in. We started by using 400 MJ, and got 3 MJ in return. We're not net positive energy generation.
Nothing will change in our daily lives yet. And a lot of people that have been misled by the reports are going to be very disappointed. This is a problem, because we're overhyping results and we're setting ourselves up for disappointment. And this can lead to resentment and funding getting cut.
The results are unequivocally good. But they're being portrayed as something they're not. We are yet unable to generate more energy than we put in.
I think it's the only way they can garner interest and gain more funding. Fusion energy has always "50 years away." I agree it's a bit misleading but what else can LLNL do to attract more funding? I'm really not quite sure.
And let’s also not forget that the 3 MJ is just heat. It still needs to spin a turbine if we want to turn some of it (maybe half? maybe less?) into electricity.
The reality is that charging up the lasers takes about 400 MJ, then due to very large inefficiencies you only get 2 MJ directed to the target, and they got out 3 MJ from the fusion reaction.
So we did not get more energy than we put in. We started by using 400 MJ, and got 3 MJ in return. We're not net positive energy generation.
Nothing will change in our daily lives yet. And a lot of people that have been misled by the reports are going to be very disappointed. This is a problem, because we're overhyping results and we're setting ourselves up for disappointment. And this can lead to resentment and funding getting cut.
The results are unequivocally good. But they're being portrayed as something they're not. We are yet unable to generate more energy than we put in.