5 ms·

Does anyone here know the theoretical (usable) energy output they can expect to get from this device?

• gjm11 11y ago
  Zero. The Wendelstein stellerator is not intended to be energy-generating; I don't think they even intend any fusion ever to happen in it.
  • tlmde 11y ago
    They certainly intend fusion to occur. Otherwise it's a scientific device; not a power plant.
    • gjm11 11y ago
      It is a scientific device. See http://www.ipp.mpg.de/16931/einfuehrung http://www.ipp.mpg.de/16931/einfuehrung which, although it's ambiguous as to whether any fusion at all is intended to happen, makes it clear that actually producing energy is not a goal. http://www.ipp.mpg.de/17064/strahlenschutz http://www.ipp.mpg.de/17064/strahlenschutz does call it a "fusion device" and suggests that after a few years of operation they'll be putting deuterium in and doing something that produces neutrons, so I guess there must be a plan to do some actual fusion. But, still, intended energy output: zero.
    • detaro 11y ago
      They do not intend fusion of the type you'd run in a power plant to occur. There will be some fusion processes happening, but as far as I understand the sources that's an unavoidable side effect of running Deuterium plasma. It is a plasma containment experiment, not a reactor test.