Comparing Top Fusion Performers
JET
The Joint European Torus, JET, used magnetic fields and set an energy production record in 2023. It closed in 2024 after 40 years of operation.
NIF
The National Ignition Facility, NIF, compresses and heats fusion fuel with powerful lasers. It set a record for energy amplification in 2022.
A representative dense plasma focus (DPF) fusion machine. Smaller than humans, which makes development easier and faster.
Based on measured data, how much do these devices need to improve to create more electricity than they use?
200x
300x
7000x
How many millions of euros/dollars were spent building each machine?
1000
5000
1
How many millions of fusion reactions for each euro/dollar?
5000
250
50
If rebuilt today, innovations would improve energy efficiency for JET (superconducting magnets) and NIF (diode-pumped lasers). There is also a higher yield operating mode for the DPF. So, the top and bottom numbers could be about 10 times better.
The DPF is interesting because of its small scale, relative simplicity, moderate cost, and energy efficiency.
Most fusion research effort has gone into magnet and laser concepts. For example, a 2022 IAEA survey of fusion devices includes only a single DPF, but a 2020 review paper lists over 50. Given this lack of attention, Project Elpis aims to discover untapped potential.