Can we build a practical fusion reactor?

Controlled nuclear fusion would provide a near-limitless source of low-carbon energy. ITER (tokamak) and NIF (inertial confinement) have reached scientific milestones (NIF achieved Q>1 in 2022), but commercially viable power production remains elusive.

Private efforts (Commonwealth Fusion, TAE, Helion) target the 2030s for net-electric demonstrations. Whether any approach can achieve cost-competitive electricity is open.