Minister Lenihan launches fusion energy exhibition at DCU
11 November 2009

Minister Conor Lenihan TD launched the 'Fusion Expo' at Dublin City University.  The purpose of the mobile exhibition is to promote awareness of Fusion as an energy choice of the future.

The exhibition will be open to the public from 11 to 13 November, and is part of a number of Science Week activities taking place across the university.

Minister Lenihan congratulated DCU for having brought the Fusion Expo to Ireland  during Science Week 2009 and outlined how the exhibition is one of over 400 events that are taking place nationwide during a period in which science finds itself the focus of national attention. The Minister stated “Scientific research has a critical role to play in the continued development of Ireland’s Smart Economy. If we are to create a culture of innovation in Ireland, we need to capture the imagination of young people and show them how science affects their everdyday lives in fun and innovative ways. Events such as the Fusion expo are designed to do this”.

“The Fusion exhibition will present various aspects of fusion as an environmentally acceptable, safe and sustainable energy technology. In a clear and simple way the exhibition will explain the fundamentals of fusion and presents a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to understand the exciting possibilities this offers as a sustainable energy for the future,” the Minister added.

While the exhibition has been held in cities across Europe, DCU is the first Irish university to host the event.The exhibition will present fusion as an environmentally acceptable, safe and sustainable energy technology.  It will explain the fundamentals of fusion and will demonstrate fusion research facilities in Europe.  It is hosted by DCU's National Centre for Plasma Science and Technology (NCPST) which was formally established in 1996.  The NCPST receives EU funding for its fusion research, and has also received funding from SFI and other government agencies for plasma research.

Dr Deirdre Boilson, NCSPT researcher, said, "Fusion energy is still in the stages of research and development.  The next step to creating fusion energy as a viable energy source is the development of a machine called ITER which is part of an international project.  Its objective is to prove that fusion power is economically viable as an energy source. The timescale for this project is to start operation in 2018,  with construction currently underway. Once the objectives of ITER have been achieved, it is hoped to produce fusion energy by the middle of the century".

"Fusion is environmentally friendly, producing no combustion products or greenhouse gases.  While fusion is a nuclear process, the products of the fusion reaction (helium and a neutron) are not radioactive, and with proper design a fusion power plant would be passively safe, and would produce no long-lived radioactive waste. Design studies show that electricity from fusion should be about the same cost as present day sources", she said.

Speaking at the launch, Professor Eugene Kennedy, Vice President for Research at DCU said, "Europe is at the forefront in the world-wide fusion endeavour aimed at addressing energy needs of future generations. Scientists at DCU play their part in associated research projects and so DCU is delighted to host the Fusion Expo and particularly so during Science Week when many visitors will get a chance to view the exposition. Given the global interest in sustainable energy, and this university's own involvement in driving research that will bring this about, this event presents a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to understand the exciting possibility that fusion energy offers as a sustainable energy for the future".