Inside View: Public Perception Of Fusion
Critical to the commercialisation and roll-out of fusion energy is public acceptance. Recent research into the public perception of fusion energy has revealed interesting insights, especially fusion in relation to other terms such as “nuclear”.
In the June issue of the Fusion Energy Insights Quarterly, Hank Jenkins Smith, Kuhika Gupta Ripberger and colleagues gave the ‘Inside View’ into Americans’ perception of fusion energy and the implications for sustainable public support.
Here’s a sneak peek, or you can download the full article
Inside View: Public Perception of Fusion
Fusion energy is poised to become the game-changer the world needs to combat climate change
Recent scientific breakthroughs suggest we may be closer than ever to harnessing this elusive, clean energy source, but successful commercialisation will require social acceptance. With the increasingly urgent need to find low-carbon energy sources to address the growing demand for energy while mitigating the impacts of climate change, the push to develop fusion energy has taken on new urgency.
Despite significant investments in fusion energy since the 1950s, the technology has widely been viewed as “decades away” from becoming a feasible source of energy. This all changed in December 2022, when the National Ignition facility (NIF) in California produced a net positive fusion energy gain (i.e., more energy output than input) for the first time.
Although significant technical challenges remain, several promising approaches have garnered substantial financial and technical attention since the NIF accomplishment.
The social challenges, however, are equally complex.
While fusion energy is broadly viewed in positive ways, most people admit to having little knowledge about the technology
In January 2023, the University of Oklahoma's Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (IPPRA) conducted a survey of 2,016 American adults who are demographically representative of the population. The survey aimed to gauge public perceptions of fusion energy and investigate whether its acceptance might face obstacles similar to those encountered by fission energy.
Overall, the survey results indicated that while fusion energy is broadly viewed in positive ways across age, gender and partisan groups, most people admit to having little knowledge about the technology. Images and emotions currently associated with fusion energy technologies tend to be positive, particularly compared to those evoked by traditional fission nuclear energy.
Trust in regulators and operators of prospective fusion energy facilities is currently high and strongly associated with support for fusion energy. Positive views of fusion also receive a boost from technological optimism, but the persistent connection among some Americans to fears of nuclear technologies tends to moderate that support.
The top 15 most frequent images that respondents provided when asked to think about 'fusion energy,' 'nuclear fusion,' or 'nuclear energy'
A generally positive public perception towards fusion is a significant advantage, but sustaining it requires continuous effort
Fusion energy holds immense potential to sustainably meet global energy needs, and the survey indicates a generally positive public perception towards it. This optimism is a significant advantage, but sustaining it requires continuous effort.
Effective communication with the public about both the progress and realistic timelines for fusion energy development is essential.
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Members of Fusion Energy Insights get access to this article and more in an exclusive publication each quarter – The Fusion Energy Insights Quarterly. Here we share industry updates on nuclear fusion across global activity, fusion regulation, fusion investment, fusion energy news, science and new players, plus we profile different fusion companies and include special feature articles from industry insiders, tracking the progress of this exciting clean energy solution.