On September 25th, NFRI announced that KSTAR (Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research), a research device developed for the commercialization of fusion energy, surpassed the 10,000 mark in terms of the number of tests conducted on plasma generation to date.

Since generation of the first plasma in 2008, KSTAR constructed based on local technology has delivered on some 2,000 tests relevant to plasma generation every year for the past five years.

KSTAR which entered into a full phase of experimentation in 2009 generated the world’s first H-mode plasma as a superconducting device in 2010 and in just a year thereafter successfully achieved ELM (Edge-Localized Mode) control, one of the greatest challenges in fusion physics. As such, KSTAR has been playing a pivotal role in the development of core technologies for fusion energy commercialization by successfully delivering on major achievements, including the attainment of up to 20 seconds of pulse length in H-mode as well as the latest achievement last year of finding a new approach to eliminating plasma impurities.

The superconducting device which has resumed full operation since July is scheduled to test the extension of pulse length to a minimum of 30 seconds and ELM control time to a minimum of 10 seconds to prove the relevance of its ELM control method. “On the occasion of surpassing the 10 thousandth mark in plasma generation test, we will take time to review the role of KSTAR and our plans to ensure that everything is well-aligned to our goal of achieving fusion energy commercialization.” said President Myeun Kwon of NFRI.