Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM Social/6:45 PM buffet/7:15 PM Announcements followed by Presentation
Title: “Fusion Power – Now It’s an Engineering Problem”
Speaker: Dr. Fred Beranek, Director of Engineering, Fluor Mission Solutions Business Unit, and Fluor Nuclear Fusion Program Manager
Abstract:
On December 5, 2022, the path to providing fusion power to the grid was transformed from a 60-year long physics challenge to an incredibly interesting engineering opportunity. The National Ignition Facility (NIF), commissioned in 2010, provided the transformative event and serves as the foundation for the path to commercial fusion energy for Longview Fusion Energy Systems with whom Fluor is teamed. NIF was designed to be a state-of-the-art experimental science machine, not a fusion pilot plant so several engineering and technology advancements are required to go from NIF to a power plant. More efficient lasers, target optimization and manufacturing, target injection and tracking, and closing the fusion fuel cycle are some of the engineering challenges that need to be addressed. This talk will describe the NIF, the fusion ignition tests and the path forward to the design of the world’s first fusion power plant.
Venue: Edgar’s Above Broad, 699 Broad Street. Suite 300 (3rd Floor), Augusta, Georgia; Phone (762) 320-4320
Park in adjoining no-cost 7th St. & Reynolds parking deck and walk/take elevator to 3rd floor.
Menu: Street Taco Grazing featuring: pulled pork, blackened fish, shredded chicken, grilled vegetables, pico de gallo, salsa verde, roasted tomato salsa, Mexican street corn salad, Spanish rice, refried beans, avocado-lime creme, spicy aioli, hot sauce, corn tortillas, flour tortillas, cotija cheese, onions, cilantro, sour cream.
Water, soft drinks. • No-host bar available.