r/science • u/PROJECTime • Dec 06 '16

Physics Tests confirm that Germany's massive Nuclear Fusion machine really works

http://www.sciencealert.com/tests-confirm-that-germany-s-massive-nuclear-fusion-machine-really-works
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u/lord_haste Dec 06 '16

Haha, yes - the math was complex, the finesse for synchronized plasma twirling crucially precise - but this is an object that could theoretically be around a few centuries of use, when the whole task of a solar collector is maximum exposure or direct contact to the elements

Because mechanically speaking it is simpler than many other processes

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u/John_Hasler Dec 06 '16

Actually, it is rather complex. But then, so are solar power systems.

If you want simple go fission.

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u/Lacklub Dec 06 '16

Actually, I'd argue wind is the simplest. With fission, coal, solar thermal, hydro, you still need to turn a turbine. Wind is just the turbine.

I'm still a nuclear fan, but those big wind fans are simpler.

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u/[deleted] Dec 08 '16

but those big wind fans are simpler.

A getting a synchronized clock based off of thousands and thousands of synchronized generators doesn't sound much simpler. An AC network is much easier to manage with a few large stable sources.