The electric energy needed by the ASDEX Upgrade fusion experiment to power its magnetic field coils and plasma heating facilities is supplied by large flywheel generators. An experimentation pulse in ASDEX Upgrade requires an electric power of 400 megawatts lasting 10 seconds, i.e. half as much as the whole district of Munich. Such an abrupt grid load is not permissible; so the electric energy for ASDEX Upgrade cannot be taken directly from the grid. Instead the flywheel generators gradually take the energy needed from the grid, store it and then pass it on to ASDEX Upgrade in a single pulse.
Although my little fun fact doesn’t apply to THIS flywheel generator, I recently learned, that flywheel generators are used all over Europe to stabilise the Continental Europe Synchronous Area: They are constantly kept spinning and because of their inertia they level any voltage drops and peaks they encounter. Learning this blew my mind because I never would’ve thought that such a simple technology was used to stabilise our electricity grid.
To power the magnetic coils that provide plasma containment for an experimental fusion reactor, in order to research how to create a self-sustaining fusion reaction.
Such an achievement would be a watershed moment in human history, and most likely would usher in a new technological age of energy production.
The electric energy needed by the ASDEX Upgrade fusion experiment to power its magnetic field coils and plasma heating facilities is supplied by large flywheel generators. An experimentation pulse in ASDEX Upgrade requires an electric power of 400 megawatts lasting 10 seconds, i.e. half as much as the whole district of Munich. Such an abrupt grid load is not permissible; so the electric energy for ASDEX Upgrade cannot be taken directly from the grid. Instead the flywheel generators gradually take the energy needed from the grid, store it and then pass it on to ASDEX Upgrade in a single pulse.
Yes, but what is the actual purpose?
Although my little fun fact doesn’t apply to THIS flywheel generator, I recently learned, that flywheel generators are used all over Europe to stabilise the Continental Europe Synchronous Area: They are constantly kept spinning and because of their inertia they level any voltage drops and peaks they encounter. Learning this blew my mind because I never would’ve thought that such a simple technology was used to stabilise our electricity grid.
To power the magnetic coils that provide plasma containment for an experimental fusion reactor, in order to research how to create a self-sustaining fusion reaction.
Such an achievement would be a watershed moment in human history, and most likely would usher in a new technological age of energy production.
And it’s just decades away
As is tradition.
Thank you.