---
title: "Simulation Shows This Fusion Reactor Doing Something Amazing"
description: "New simulations show that a compact fusion reactor with compressed plasma would actually produce more electricity than it takes in."
date: "2021-04-06"
modified: "2021-04-06"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/simulation-fusion-reactor-amazing"
categories:
  - "Energy"
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "energy"
  - "nuclear fusion"
  - "the digest"
---

# Simulation Shows This Fusion Reactor Doing Something Amazing

![New simulations show that a compact fusion reactor with compressed plasma would actually produce more electricity than it takes in.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/generator.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: General Atomics; tokamak graphic modified from F. Najmabadi et al., Fus. Eng. Des. 80, 3 (2006) / Futurism\</em\>*

## Simulation Theory

A team of scientists may have cracked the code for self-sustaining [nuclear fusion reactors](<https://futurism.com/mit-researchers-fusion-reactor-very-likely-work>) that actually produce more electricity than they consume — an amazing accomplishment, at least in theory.

In a series of simulations, the team from the Oak Ridge and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories and the private company General Atomics demonstrated how a tiny tokamak reactor could pave the way toward productive and sustainable fusion energy, [according to *Popular Mechanics*](<https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a35994805/first-fusion-power-plant-to-generate-net-electricity/?utm_source=reddit.com>). Now, of course, the trick is to actually build the thing.

## Scaling Down

A big, yet-unsolved challenge in the nuclear fusion field has been building a reactor stable and powerful enough to actually [put out more energy](<https://futurism.com/fusion-power-practical>) than it takes in. The best in show right now, according to *PopMech*, is an experimental reactor that produces 67 percent as much electricity as it takes to power it up.

The new theoretical reactor is surprisingly compact: it's just eight meters wide and highly compresses plasma to generate a net 200 megawatts of electricity, [according to the research](<https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1741-4326/abe4af>) that the team published last month in the journal *Nuclear Fusion*. That would be enough electricity to [power about 40,000 homes](<https://www.climatecentral.org/blogs/helpful-energy-comparisons-anyone>), give or take.

## Now What?

Unfortunately, a reactor like the one from the paper is probably still over a decade away from tangible reality, according to *PopMech*. Adding in the plasma pressurization that actually made it work well is even farther out.

But still, the simulations show that a plasma fusion reactor of this sort is theoretically possible and could work. That means that this paper could serve as roadmap toward a truly practical fusion reactor.

**READ MORE:** [This Is the First Fusion Power Plant to Generate Net Electricity](<https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a35994805/first-fusion-power-plant-to-generate-net-electricity/?utm_source=reddit.com>) \[*Popular Mechanics*\]

**More on nuclear fusion:** *[MIT Researchers Say Their Fusion Reactor Is “Very Likely to Work”](<https://futurism.com/mit-researchers-fusion-reactor-very-likely-work>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)