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.
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.
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.
This is an interesting piece of technology and the OP wanted to share. That thing must have one hell of a clutch! Achieving controlled fusion would be a monumental feat for our species.
14 Comments
wuffah@lemmy.world · 15 pts · 303d
Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works · 10 pts · 303d
400ish kilowatt hours of useful energy, delivered over 10 seconds.
That's an insane amount of energy.
FelixCress@lemmy.world · -13 pts · 303d
Context?
Edit : Un-fucking-believable that some cretins may downvote a simple question.
vk6flab@lemmy.radio · 31 pts · 303d
The article explains precisely what it is and why .. it's even written in English.
Samskara@sh.itjust.works · 18 pts · 303d
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.
FelixCress@lemmy.world · -3 pts · 303d
Yes, but what is the actual purpose?
wuffah@lemmy.world · 21 pts · 303d
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.
ohulancutash@feddit.uk · 7 pts · 303d
And it’s just decades away
dgriffith@aussie.zone · 5 pts · 303d
As is tradition.
FelixCress@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 303d
Thank you.
sockenklaus@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 302d
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.
ilillilillilillililli@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 303d
This is an interesting piece of technology and the OP wanted to share. That thing must have one hell of a clutch! Achieving controlled fusion would be a monumental feat for our species.
qweertz@programming.dev · 1 pts · 302d
dukemirage@lemmy.world · -1 pts · 303d
I'll not downvote a question, but rude cursing.
FistingEnthusiast@lemmynsfw.com · 4 pts · 303d
dukemirage@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 303d
The /s really can't be ommitted anywhere here. There is also a significant difference between cursing and insulting, champ.
FelixCress@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 303d