[jacknews]

How so?

The maximum possible benefit of fusion (aside from the science gained in the attempt) is cheap energy.

We'll get very cheap energy just by massively rolling out existing solar panels (maybe some at sea), and other renewables, HVDC and batteries/storage.

Fusion is almost certain to be uneconomical in comparison if it's even feasible technically.

AI, is already dramtically impacting some fields, including science (eg deepfold), and AGI would be a step-change.

[rimeice]

Cheap, _limitless_ energy from fusion could solve almost every geopolitical/environmental issue we face today. Europe is acutely aware of this at the moment and it's why China and America are investing mega bucks. We will eventually run out of finite energy sources. Even if we do capture the max capacity possible from renewables with 100% efficiency, our energy consumption rates increasing at current rates will eventually exceed this max capacity. Those rates are accelerating. We really have no choice.

[myrmidon]

There is zero reason to assume that fusion power will ever be the cheapest source of energy. At the very least, you have to deal with a sizeable vacuum chamber, big magnets to control the plasma and massive neutron flux (turning your fusion plant into radioactive waste over time), none of which is cheap.

I'd say limitless energy from fusion plants is about as likely as e-scooters getting replaced by hoverboards. Maybe next millenium.

[jacknews]

I mean, the limit to renewables is to capture all the energy from the sun, and maybe the heat of the earth.

But then you start to have some issues with global warming (the temperature at which energy input = energy radiated away)

We probably don't want to release more energy than that.

[hx8]

Fusion at 100% grid scale might be better for the environment than solar at 100% grid scale.

It might be nice if at the end of the 21st century that is something we care.