Augsburg 2006 – scientific programme

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PV: Plenarvorträge

PV IV

PV IV: Evening Talk

Tuesday, March 28, 2006, 20:00–21:30, 1002

The Plasma Fusion Roadshow — •Mark Westra — FOM-Institute for Plasma Physics Rijnhuizen, Association Euratom-FOM, Trilateral Euregio Cluster — European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA) - Close Support Unit Garching

Fusion energy is often named as a safe, clean and virtually inexhaustible source of energy for the long term. But how does it actually work? When can we expect to start using fusion as an energy source? What is a plasma, how do you heat it to the required temperature of 150 Million Celcius, and how can you control a it? The Fusion Road Show answers all these questions, and more. The Fusion Road Show employs drama, live experiments, and audience participation to familiarise the public with nuclear fusion. The Road Show begins with an introduction to the energy problem. It then presents fusion as one of several future energy options, explaining how the process works, and demonstrating the basics of fusion power plants with on-stage experiments. The state-of-the-art in fusion research and the international fusion energy experiment * ITER, which will be built in the south of France, will be presented. The show has been presented well over 100 times since the premiere in 1999, and is always greeted with enthusiasm. The audiences range from high-school students, general public, to specialist audiences, physics students, ministers and members of parliament.

Mark Westra is a PhD in physics (fluid dynamics) and the responsible officer for Public Information for the European Fusion Development agreement.