Search

A picture of the ITER tokamak pit has made the cover of the November issue of National Geographic. Inside the 28-page feature story titled "Inside the long-shot megaproject that aims to solve our energy worries forever," author Michael Finkel explains how ITER will attempt to tame "a soupy jumble of atomic parts known as plasma" and create a "mechanical star" on Earth.

He vividly describes the challenges of mastering fusion energy, relates something of ITER's bumpy road to existence, and—dressed in a white lab coat, a hairnet, a hard hat, protective eyewear, and white gloves—marvels at the attempt to build a machine that he describes as almost absurdly difficult. He also lifts the veil on what it's like to be at the head of such a complex endeavour by trailing ITER Director-General Pietro Barabaschi, including during a 6:00 a.m. meeting that is at the start of every workday.

You can access an online version of the article on the National Geographic website. (Photography by Paolo Verzone.)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) publishes the annual World Fusion Outlook as a reference for authoritative information and updates on fusion energy research. The 2025 edition presents a selection of recent achievements in fusion energy, outlines some of the dozens of fusion plant concepts currently at various stages of development worldwide, highlights global efforts in fusion energy development and discusses for the first time the global outlook for fusion energy deployment. As a special focus topic, this edition of the publication explores high temperature superconductors and their potential role in the commercialization of fusion energy.

Read or download the full report at this address.

According to the IAEA’s Fusion Device Information System (FusDIS), there are almost 150 experimental fusion devices and testing facilities either operating, under construction or in the planned stages, and more than 20 fusion plant designs under development. Recent scientific and technical advances, coupled with a dynamic private sector, and the pressing concerns of climate change and energy security, have shifted the focus toward addressing the remaining challenges. These include demonstrating the technological feasibility of fusion power and ensuring its safety and economic viability as a sustainable energy source.

Through its series of Fusion Energy Conferences (FECs), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has long fostered the exchange of scientific and technical results in fusion R&D. The 30th edition of the FEC—which formally opens tomorrow in Chengdu, the capital of China's Sichuan province—is intended to reflect the priorities of this new era in fusion energy research, development, demonstration, and preparation to deployment.

ITER staff members will be participating in the technical program, leading sessions on ITER technology, science and construction. ITER Director-General Pietro Barabaschi will present the progress of the ITER project and its value for fusion. And, parallel to the conference, the Second Ministerial Meeting of the IAEA World Fusion Energy Group will take place on Tuesday 14 October, one year after its inaugural meeting. 

Newsline will have a full report next week.

Click to see the IAEA FEC 2025 general conference website and the conference program.