They are forever smashing this or that record, on the verge of break-even, on track to producing free energy without nasty radionuclides. But it is always a con. If they ever do get Q high enough to make energy production conceivable -- it will need Q > 100, when said and done -- a Tokamak reactor will cost 10x much as the equal-grade fission reactor, and cost >10x as much to operate. As fission reactors are today not competitive, and get less competitive by the day, power from Tokamak fusion will not ever be lighting up your house. That is not a bad thing: solar and wind are wholly up to the task, and just need building out. The more there is, the cheaper it gets.
The only reliable product of the hot-neutron fusion research industry is dishonesty.
There is also aneutronic fusion, that might actually have a future, even if only in space: If we are ever to operate in the outer solar system, something of the sort will be needed. Unfortunately it gets almost no money.
The only reliable product of the hot-neutron fusion research industry is dishonesty.
There is also aneutronic fusion, that might actually have a future, even if only in space: If we are ever to operate in the outer solar system, something of the sort will be needed. Unfortunately it gets almost no money.