What are the risks of nuclear fusion?

Answer 1

The main disadvantage of fusion is that no scientists have been able to contain a fusion reaction long enough for there to be a net energy gain, but nuclear fission is already producing 11% of the worlds energy needs.The atomic bomb.

Answer 2

I think the main risk is that despite a great deal of effort it may never be made to work, in a way that will produce useful power. But if it ever does succeed, it will be less risky than nuclear fission reactors.

Answer 3

There will be the gradual accumulation of radiation in the components of the reactor but this will be minor. The components will be slightly more radioactive than fission waste but it will only be radioactive for 300 years compared to thousands (tens of thousands) for fission. We have the capacity and ability to store them safely for 300 years.

Secondly, we know how to adapt a fusion reactor. We have achieved a fusion reaction in two ways. One, of course is the hydrogen bomb. Two is the Joint European Torus (JET) that is the largest functioning fusion reactor today as of 2010. Our problem is that we have not achieved a reaction that has produced more power than used. Currently we are at ~65-70%. We technically could have fusion power in 5 years but it would cost about 109 billion dollars. Fusion is in it's early stages and is at least 20 years away.

Answer

I don't think we know enough about fusion and how it could be adapted to a practical power plant. Generally it is thought to be safer than fission because the nuclear waste issue is much easier to deal with.

Answer 4

Some of the risks associated with nuclear fusion include the potential for radiation exposure, the possibility of accidents leading to the release of radioactive materials, and the challenge of managing and disposing of nuclear waste. Additionally, there are concerns about the high costs and technical challenges involved in developing viable fusion technology.