| Type | Fusion power device |
| Benefits | Abundant, clean energy |
| Invented | 1950 |
| Inventor | |
| Variations | |
| Key elements | Helium-3 • Deuterium |
| Country of origin | |
| Operational status | World's first commercial fusion reactor in 2027 |
| Challenges overcome | Safety improvements • Increased efficiency |
| Conflicts related to | Governments • Private industry • International organizations |
The stellarator is a fusion power device that uses specialized magnetic fields to confine and control plasma. Unlike its tokamak counterpart, a stellarator's complex magnetic field is produced by a three-dimensional coil system, leading to a unique helical configuration. This design was first conceived by American physicist Lyman Spitzer in 1950 and has undergone continued development and refinement in the ensuing decades.
Stellarators were originally developed as an alternative to tokamaks due to their potential for sustained steady-state plasma performance and the elimination of disruptions and instabilities. Early experiments in the United States, including the Model A and Model C stellarators, yielded promising results. However, several technical challenges, such as the inherent complexity and cost of their coil systems, limited their further development.
In the real world, following the 1960s, interest in stellarators waned due to the perceived simplicity and advantages of tokamaks, specifically their ability to achieve more stable plasma confinement. However, in this alternate timeline, researchers persisted in improving stellarator designs, eventually overcoming early shortcomings and establishing stellarators as the leading fusion approach. By the late 1960s, stellarators offered superior safety, efficiency, and performance compared to tokamaks.
Throughout the late 20th century and into the 21st, continued advancements in engineering, material science, and computer modeling enabled the production of large, cost-effective stellarators. International collaborations between Europe, Japan, and the United States fostered a resurgence in stellarator research, leading to the construction of several groundbreaking devices, such as the Wendelstein 7-X in Germany and the National Compact Stellarator Experiment in the United States.
In 2027, the world's first commercial fusion reactor, based on stellarator technology, came online. Located in France, the ITER-HELIOS reactor had been made possible through extensive collaboration between European nations, Japan, and the United States. The success of ITER-HELIOS showcased the potential of stellarator technology, sparking a global race to develop, deploy, and improve fusion power plants.
The widespread adoption of stellarator-based fusion reactors led to an era of energy abundance and sustainable development. Fusion provided a virtually limitless source of clean energy with minimal environmental and geopolitical consequences. Consequently, the global energy sector experienced dramatic shifts, as traditional fossil fuel industries were gradually replaced by the burgeoning fusion power market.
The rapid development and deployment of fusion power plants were not entirely free from controversy. Intellectual property disputes, international regulation debates, and concerns over safety and proliferation emerged as significant challenges. The ownership and control of fusion technology became a contentious issue between national governments, international organizations, and private industry. Despite this, efforts continued to ensure international cooperation and a peaceful transition to a fusion-powered world.
As the 21st century progresses, stellarator technology is further refined and improved. Small modular stellarators and Next-generation stellarators are currently in various stages of development, promising greater efficiency, lower cost, and broader accessibility. These advancements extend the potential for further unlocking the boundless potential of fusion power and ensuring a sustainable, conflict-free future for all.
