Germany has published its national strategy on fusion energy
The BMBF has taken first steps in early 2022 to position itself in view of the increasing momentum and to explore the possibility of expanding its funding activities in the field of fusion research. Germany is already one of the leading players worldwide in the field of "magnet fusion". In the field of "inertial fusion", there are still comparatively few activities in Germany and throughout Europe. In order to shed more light on this field and, in particular, to identify the German potential, the BMBF commissioned an international expert committee at the end of 2022 to conduct an analysis and draw up corresponding recommendations. The results are set out in a memorandum entitled "Laser Inertial Fusion Energy", which was handed over to the Federal Minister of Education and Research on 22 May 2023.
The BMBF position paper on fusion outlines fields of action and possible, strategically oriented measures in magnetic and laser fusion research, which are to form the basis for a new BMBF funding programme to be developed. The main goal of the measures is to accelerate the technology development towards a fusion power plant.
Following the publication of this paper, a consultation process with the German fusion community (science and industry) is planned, so that comments from the community can be taken into account in the preparation of a future BMBF funding programme.
(translated extract from Executive Summary)