27th SOFT conference focuses on ITER and beyond
"Towards a fusion power plant," was also the title of a panel discussion on Tuesday morning, moderated by BBC presenter David Shukman. The panel was made up of representatives from the fusion community ("the dreamers" as Shukman called them)and representatives from the energy industry ("the realists"). José A. Tagle, head of the Technology Innovation Department at Spain's largest energy group, said that "there is no alternative to fusion energy in terms of pollution, an ever-growing population and poverty."
As to whether fusion was appearing on the energy landscape, Areva Vice President Philippe Garderet replied that yes, fusion was on their radar screens, but that it was not yet showing up on the energy market. "We are still far from any serious market debate," Garderet said. "We observe with interest the transition from prototyping to industrial manufacturing."