--- title: "China Just Powered Up Its “Artificial Sun” Fusion Reactor" description: "China has successfully powered up its artificial sun nuclear fusion reactor. Learn how this can benefit China's energy needs." date: "2020-12-04" modified: "2020-12-09" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/china-artificial-sun-fusion-reactor" categories: - "Energy" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "china" - "fusion" - "fusion energy" - "fusion reactor" - "the digest" - "tokamak" --- # China Just Powered Up Its “Artificial Sun” Fusion Reactor ![China has successfully powered up its "artificial sun" nuclear fusion reactor for the first time according to Agence France Presse.]() *\Image: Visual China Group\* ## Artificial Sun China has successfully powered up its "artificial sun" nuclear fusion reactor for the first time, [according to *Agence France Presse*](). The reactor, which is the country's largest, could one day generate power without running the risk of a nuclear meltdown — or emitting greenhouse gases — by fusing atoms together rather than breaking them apart. The technical challenges, though, are steep. The system's HL-2M Tokamak reactor needs to be heated up to ten times the temperature of the core of the Sun, or about 150 million degrees Celsius, according to the state-run Chinese newspaper *People's Daily* — hence the reactor's nickname. ## Clean Energy "The development of nuclear fusion energy is not only a way to solve China's strategic energy needs, but also has great significance for the future sustainable development of China's energy and national economy," the *People's Daily* wrote, as quoted by *AFP*. While the news represents a meaningful step forward, achieving fusion still requires far more energy than the amount that's actually being generated — not to mention the sky high costs involved in running such a reactor. Despite the uphill battle, the international community is [investing billions]() in developing fusion reactors that could one day become a feasible source of energy. Engineers [recently started construction]() on the world's largest reactor, an international collaborative effort between 35 countries called ITER, in southern France. **READ MORE:** [China turns on nuclear-powered 'artificial sun']() \[*Agence France Presse*\] **More on fusion:** *[Scientists Just Fired Up an Experimental Fusion Reactor]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()