The alliance allows the German states to pool their resources, network and to enhance their expertise towards "a new source of energy for the future," according to Maryam Blumenthal, Senator for Science. Emphasis is on laser-induced and magnetic inertial confinement fusion and on becoming a global leader in researching, develooping, building and managing the first commercially used fusion reactor.
Six German states to use nuclear fusion as an energy source
The states of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein have joined an alliance on fusion research with Bavaria, Hesse, Saxony and Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. Hopes are now high that the alliance will bring nuclear fusion to market maturity as a climate-neutral energy source and thus pave the way for the first fusion power plant in Germany and Europe. Research and industry are to co-operate with each other to achieve this goal.
Potential climate-neutral energy source
Focus of European XFEL's research
European XFEL, the world's most powerful X-ray laser extends 3.4 kilometres from DESY in Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld to the Schenefeld campus in Schleswig-Holstein. The existing buildings, infrastructure and expertise in science and technology in both states and co-operating with a leading laser fusion startup and the European XFEL, offer ideal conditions for developing laser fusion into fusion power plants with high-energy lasers. "The expansion of the fusion-relevant research infrastructure at European XFEL boost Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein as leading centres of energy research," Blumenthal said.
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