Because this got some interest in the other Energy thread (which had a questionable start) and that is now discussing more residential issues. I found this video on the current state of Nuclear Fusion very informative on fusion power in general, but also a bit hopeful, if what they are saying is true, and if some advancements can be made, about what one company is developing (very apparently not in secret).
To hit the main points for those who don't want to watch the video:
- Deuterium and Helium 3 are the fuel (VERY small amounts): Deuterium, super common and is in sea water. Helium 3 is common on the moon, but can be created from Sea water also.
- The reactor is a sort of self-containing plasma (no huge magnetic containment vessels) rail gun. Which means it runs a bit more like an IC engine than a steam engine (like a nuclear fission reactor plant does). It has a firing rate (rpm if you will).
- The idea is to capture the electrical and magnetic results of the fusion directly, rather than the heat (as in a Fission reactor plant). Making a power plant MUCH simpler.
- It does have an exhaust in the form of heat (don't worry, only a couple million degrees....). But this does not seem to be a primary issue (?)
- There is radioactive waste, but it's not clear how radioactive, and it's the "combustion" (actually fission) chamber lining, not the fuel. Sort of a question mark here.
- The primary hurdle they seem to state at this point is what to make the fission chamber out of since millions of degrees (magnetically isolated, so no direct contact) can be a bit hard on typical materials.
- Could result in very cheap base load electricity, that could be generated in many small plants (a huge advantage) rather then a few big ones.
One interesting, sort of fantastical result of this, might be, in the future, if you can make them small enough, is a vehicle, powered by a small fusion plant (electric drive) that is fueled.... by water! Just stay away from the exhaust!!!!!!
Oh, and I also wanted to note (guess) that although this seems like a prime investment opportunity (as someone here has stated), my suspicion (if this is truly viable) would be this would go the way of most Pharma developments. The initial research is done in (generally government funded) universities. When they find something of potential, those researches (or others) take that research and create a startup (normally with venture capital money). If that results in a more marketable result, that company is bought by a larger Pharma company, making the founders and investors a lot of money.
So, I suspect, it is highly unlikely the common citizen will be able to invest in it until it is bought out be a large company (e.g. GE, Chevron etc)