SEMESTER VIII

ENVIRONMENT LAW

ARTICLE ON

'IMPACT OF NUCLEAR FUSION ON THE ENVIRONMENT'

SUBMITTED TO:

PRIYA KUMARI

PROFESSOR, NMIMS SCHOOL OF LAW

SUBMITTED BY:

ALVIN JAYMON – C050

FOURTH YEAR BBA LLB

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 CONTENTS
I. ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................2
II. INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................3
III. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES..............................................................................................3
IV. ANALYSIS .........................................................................................................................4
V. CASE STUDY.....................................................................................................................7
VI. SUGGESTIONS..................................................................................................................8
VII. CONCLUSION...................................................................................................................8
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................9

I. ABSTRACT
Nuclear fusion is a promising source of clean energy, with the potential to provide a virtually
unlimited and carbon-free source of electricity. However, the development and deployment of
nuclear fusion power also have environmental impacts that must be carefully considered. This
paper examines the impact of nuclear fusion on the environment, including the energy generation
process, radioactive waste management, water usage and management, land usage, and air
pollution and climate change. While nuclear fusion does not produce carbon emissions or
greenhouse gases, it does require significant amounts of energy and water to operate, and the
construction and maintenance of fusion reactors can have an impact on land and wildlife. The
management of radioactive waste produced by fusion reactors is also a significant challenge that
must be addressed to ensure the safety of the environment and human health. The paper also
talks about the latest development in nuclear fusion and its impact on the environment.

Keywords: - Nuclear fusion, environment impact, carbon emission, human health, latest
development

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II. INTRODUCTION
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Nuclear fusion is a process in which two atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus,
releasing a large amount of energy in the process. This reaction occurs at extremely high
temperatures and pressures, similar to those found at the core of stars and thus this process has
the potential to be a virtually unlimited source of clean energy. The fuels used in nuclear fusion,
such as deuterium and tritium, are abundant in nature and can be extracted from seawater. Unlike
fossil fuels, they are not limited resources and can provide a virtually unlimited supply of energy.
Unlike nuclear fission, which can produce dangerous levels of radiation, nuclear fusion reactions
are inherently safe, as they can be stopped simply by turning off the fuel supply. Overall, the
principles of nuclear fusion are complex and require advanced understanding of nuclear physics,
plasma physics, and engineering. However, ongoing research and development in this area is
helping to bring us closer to realizing the potential of fusion as a source of clean energy. The
environmental impact of nuclear fusion is expected to be much lower than that of other energy
sources. However, as with any energy source, it is important to carefully manage the
environmental impact to ensure its sustainability and safety.

III. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1. To investigate the potential environmental impacts of nuclear fusion as a source of clean
energy.
2. To assess the management and disposal of radioactive waste and its potential impact on the
environment.
3. To understand the water and land usage of nuclear fusion and its impact on wildlife.
4. To examine the potential climate change impacts of nuclear fusion and identify ways to
mitigate them.
5. To analyze the latest development in nuclear fusion and its impact on the environment.

IV. ANALYSIS
Nuclear fusion has the potential to be a very clean source of energy, with no greenhouse gas
emissions or air pollution during operation. However, there are still some environmental impacts
associated with the energy generation process.

1
D. H. Richter and R. K. Singh, Nuclear Fusion Energy, 2019, An Introduction to the Concepts, Systems, and
Applications of Nuclear Fusion, 2nd ed.

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A. ENERGY GENERATION

The energy generated in nuclear fusion is primarily in the form of heat, which can be used to
generate electricity using a steam turbine. The process of generating electricity from nuclear
fusion is similar to that used in traditional fossil fuel power plants, with the exception that
nuclear fusion does not produce any greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution during operation.
The2 primary environmental impact of nuclear fusion energy generation is the use of cooling
water. As mentioned earlier, fusion reactors require large amounts of cooling water to manage
the high temperatures generated during operation. This water can be withdrawn from local water
sources, such as rivers or lakes, and then returned at a higher temperature, which can have an
impact on local ecosystems. To mitigate this impact, fusion reactors can be designed to use
closed-loop cooling systems, which recycle the cooling water instead of discharging it into the
environment. Additionally, alternative cooling methods such as air cooling or using non-potable
water sources can also be used to reduce the amount of water used for cooling. Another potential
environmental impact of nuclear fusion energy generation is the production of waste. While the
waste produced by nuclear fusion is much less radioactive than that produced by nuclear fission,
it still needs to be managed and disposed of safely. To reduce this impact, researchers are
exploring ways to recycle and reuse the waste produced by nuclear fusion, such as using it as
fuel in other reactors or incorporating it into building materials.

B. RADIOACTIVE WASTE

While the3 amount of radioactive waste produced by nuclear fusion is much lower than that
produced by nuclear fission, it still needs to be managed and disposed of safely. Radioactive

2
P. R. Garabedian and J. D. Sethian, "Modeling the Environmental Impact of Nuclear Fusion Power Plants,"
Environmental Science & Technology 49, no. 9 (2015): 5269-5276.
3
R. J. Goldston, "The Challenges and Opportunities of Fusion Energy," in Proceedings of the 2019 International
Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ASME, 2019), V002T13A011.

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waste can include any material that becomes contaminated with radiation during the operation of
a nuclear fusion reactor, such as metal components, reactor coolant, and experimental samples.

One of the main types of radioactive waste produced by nuclear fusion is activated materials.
These materials become radioactive due to exposure to neutron radiation during operation, and
must be carefully managed and disposed of to prevent harm to humans and the environment. The
level of radioactivity in materials typically decreases over time, so they must be stored securely
for a period of time until the radioactivity has decayed to a safe level.

Another type of radioactive waste produced by nuclear fusion is tritiated waste. Waste containing
tritium can be particularly challenging to manage, as tritium can easily pass through materials
and can contaminate groundwater and other water sources. To manage tritiated waste, it is often
necessary to use specialized storage containers and disposal methods that prevent the release of
tritium into the environment. The management of radioactive waste from nuclear fusion is an
important consideration for the development of this technology. As with any form of nuclear
energy, it will be important to carefully manage and dispose of radioactive waste to prevent harm
to humans and the environment.

C. WATER & LAND USAGE

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Water is a critical component in nuclear fusion, as it is used for cooling and to transfer energy
from the reactor to a steam turbine to generate electricity. However, the high temperatures

4
B. K. Sovacool, “The Environmental Risks and Benefits of Nuclear Fusion,” Energy Policy 35, no. 4 (2007): 2443-
2457.

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involved in nuclear fusion require a significant amount of water for cooling, which can have
environmental impacts if not managed properly. One of the main environmental impacts of water
usage in nuclear fusion is the withdrawal of water from local water sources, such as rivers or
lakes. This can have impacts on local ecosystems and communities, particularly during periods
of drought or low water availability. To mitigate this impact, fusion reactors can be designed to
use closed-loop cooling systems, which recycle the cooling water instead of discharging it into
the environment. Alternative cooling methods, such as air cooling or using non-potable water
sources, can also be used to reduce the amount of water used for cooling. Another potential
impact of water usage in nuclear fusion is the discharge of heated water back into the
environment. The discharge of heated water can raise water temperatures in local waterways,
which can have impacts on aquatic ecosystems. To reduce this impact, fusion reactors can be
designed to use cooling towers or other technologies to reduce the temperature of discharged
water.

Compared to many other forms of energy generation, nuclear5 fusion has a relatively low impact
on land use and wildlife. Fusion reactors themselves take up relatively little land compared to
other types of power plants, and the fuel used in nuclear fusion is not mined from the earth or
stored on site, reducing the need for large storage facilities. However, there are still potential
environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of nuclear fusion reactors.
The construction of a fusion reactor may require clearing land, which can impact local
ecosystems and wildlife. Additionally, the6 infrastructure required for nuclear fusion, such as
access roads and transmission lines, can have further impacts on land use. During operation,
fusion reactors emit very little in the way of pollutants or greenhouse gases, which can help to
reduce negative impacts on wildlife and ecosystems.

V. CASE STUDY
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The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which is currently under
construction in Cadarache, France. The ITER project is a collaboration between 35 countries and

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T. Hamacher et al., “Assessing the Environmental Impact of Nuclear Fusion Energy—A Review of Life Cycle
Assessment Studies,” Journal of Cleaner Production 177 (2018): 975-988.
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J. R. Hong et al., "Environmental Impact Assessment of Fusion Power Plants," Fusion Engineering and Design 137
(2018): 218-223.
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Carl Smith, 2023, World's largest nuclear fusion reactor promises clean energy, but the challenges are huge, ABC
news,https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2023-03-19/nuclear-fission-iter-experiment-france-construction/
102050226

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is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a commercial source of energy.
The construction of the ITER facility has required clearing large areas of land and could
potentially impact local ecosystems and wildlife. However, the project has implemented a
number of measures to minimize these impacts, such as using local materials and minimizing the
amount of land required for the construction of the facility. During operation, the ITER reactor is
designed to produce very little in the way of air pollution or greenhouse gas emissions. However,
the cooling systems used in the reactor will require large amounts of water, which could impact
local waterways and aquatic ecosystems. To minimize these impacts, the ITER project has
implemented a number of measures to reduce water usage, such as recycling and reusing water
where possible.

Additionally, the ITER project is exploring alternative cooling technologies, such as the use of
air or helium instead of water, to further minimize impacts on local waterways. While the ITER
project has the potential to significantly advance the development of nuclear fusion as a source
of clean energy, it will be important to carefully manage the environmental impacts associated
with its construction and operation. By implementing sustainable practices and technologies, the
ITER project can help to ensure that nuclear fusion is developed in an environmentally
responsible manner.

In addition to ITER, there are also other experimental nuclear fusion projects underway, such as
the8 Wendelstein 7-X stellarator in Germany, and the 9JET (Joint European Torus) in the UK.
These projects also aim to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion energy and to explore new
technologies and materials that can improve the efficiency and safety of fusion reactors.

VI. SUGGESTIONS
1. To minimize the amount of waste produced by optimizing reactor design and operation.
2. To develop materials that are less vulnerable to becoming activated by radiation, which could
reduce the amount of waste produced. Additionally, new methods for recycling and reusing

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Anonymous, 2023, Successful fusion experiments at Germany’s Wendelstein 7-X, Nuclear Engineering
International; https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newssuccessful-fusion-experiments-at-germanys-wendelstein-7-
x-10636975
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Anonymous, 2022, UKAEA and Tokamak Energy to collaborate on commercial fusion, WNN, https://www.world-
nuclear-news.org/Articles/UKAEA-and-Tokamak-to-collaborate-on-commercial-fus

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 radioactive waste should be explored, which could reduce the need for long-term storage and
disposal.
3. To invest in the development of sustainable technologies and practices, such as advanced
water recycling and alternative cooling systems, that can reduce the amount of water used
during operation and minimize impacts on local waterways and aquatic ecosystems.
4. To frame regulations that can be put in place to ensure construction and operation of nuclear
fusion facilities comply with environmental standards and minimize impacts on local
ecosystems and communities.

VII. CONCLUSION
Despite these challenges, nuclear fusion has the potential to be a game-changer in the fight
against climate change, and the development of fusion technology must continue. Further
research and development are needed to overcome technical and engineering challenges,
improve energy efficiency, and reduce the environmental impact of nuclear fusion. In order to
ensure the safe and sustainable implementation of nuclear fusion as a source of clean energy, it is
essential to carefully consider the environmental impact of fusion power and develop strategies
to mitigate its negative effects. Overall, the environmental impact of nuclear fusion is relatively
low compared to other energy sources, but it is not completely without impact. As the
technology continues to develop, it will be important to carefully consider and mitigate any
potential environmental impacts associated with fusion energy generation.

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 ANNEXURE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
A. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What are the potential environmental impacts of nuclear fusion as a source of clean energy
and how do they compare with other energy sources?
2. What technical and engineering challenges need to be overcome to achieve commercial fusion
power and ensure its safe implementation, and how can they be addressed?
B. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
1. To analyze the latest development in nuclear fusion and its impact on the environment.
2. To investigate the potential environmental impacts of nuclear fusion as a source of clean
energy.
C. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
1. Okumura, Y., et al. (2019), Management and disposal of radioactive waste from nuclear
fusion reactors. Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 56(11-12), 1009-1019. This
paper explores the management and disposal of radioactive waste and its potential impact on
the environment.
2. Hwang, I. S., & Lee, K. S. (2020), Environmental assessment of nuclear fusion power plants
compared with other renewable energy technologies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 258,
120672. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the potential environmental impacts of
nuclear fusion as compared to other renewable energy sources.
3. Eder, T., et al. (2020), Water use in future energy systems: The case of nuclear fusion.
Applied Energy, 267, 114915. This study evaluates the water usage of nuclear fusion and its
impact on the environment.
4. Karami, A., & Abdollahpour, R. (2021), An overview of the technical and engineering
challenges in the commercialization of nuclear fusion power plants. Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews, 135, 110149. This review article highlights the technical and
engineering challenges that need to be addressed to achieve commercial fusion power and its
safe implementation.
5. Pezzucchi, P., et al. (2021), Environmental impact assessment of nuclear fusion power plants:
a review of life cycle assessment studies. Journal of Environmental Management, 295,

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113028. This review article provides a critical analysis of the potential environmental impacts
of nuclear fusion power plants through life cycle assessment studies.

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