RENEWABLE ENERGY: CHINA’S ARTIFICIAL SUN

Selvina Julianti 3B

The principal energy sources currently used around the world are coal and natural gas, however
both commodities are in short supply. Nuclear fusion, which mimics the sun's physics by combining
atomic nuclei to generate massive amounts of energy and power, could be the cleanest energy source
known. According to the Independent, the method uses no fossil fuels, produces no radioactive waste, and
provides a safer alternative to fission nuclear power.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, China's Experimental Advanced Superconducting

Tokamak (EAST) was planned to be used as a near-limitless source of clean energy on Earth. According to
Newsweek's Robert Lea, the doughnut-shaped EAST reactor is referred to as an artificial sun since it
resembles the fusion process within stars.

EAST is anticipated to cost China more than $1 trillion by the time it is completed in June, and it
is being used to test technology for a much larger fusion project, the International Thermonuclear
Experimental Reactor (ITER), which is now under construction in Marseille, France.

The world's largest nuclear reactor, it is the result of a 35-country collaboration that includes every
European Union country, the United Kingdom, China, India, and the United States. According to a recent
study by Live Science, ITER includes the world's most powerful magnet, capable of producing a magnetic
field 280,000 times stronger than that of the Earth. In 2025, the fusion reactor planned to become online,
providing scientists with even more information.

How does it works?

The EAST Tokamak is a device that simulates the nuclear fusion process that occurs in the sun
and stars. Nuclear fusion is a method of producing big amounts of energy without producing large
amounts of waste. Previously, energy was generated by splitting the nucleus of a heavy atom into two or
more nuclei of lighter atoms, a process known as nuclear fission.

While fission is a less time-consuming process, it produces significantly more nuclear waste.
Fusion, unlike fission, does not produce greenhouse gases and is thought to be a safer process with a
decreased danger of mishaps. Nuclear fusion, once mastered, has the ability to offer endless clean energy
at very low costs.

To achieve nuclear fusion, enormous heat and pressure are delivered to hydrogen atoms, causing
them to fuse together. Deuterium and tritium nuclei, both contained in hydrogen, are fused to together
form a helium nucleus, which contains a neutron and a lot of energy.
 Fuel is heated to approximately 150 million degrees Celsius, resulting in a hot plasma "soup" of
subatomic particles. The plasma is maintained away from the reactor's walls by a strong magnetic field,
ensuring that it does not cool down and lose its ability to generate vast amounts of energy. For fusion to
occur, the plasma must be contained for long periods of time.

The artificial sun from China, which is projected to be a future energy source, is claimed to have
many advantages. This artificial sun is made to get a clean energy source that is environmentally friendly.
Because, so far modern life relies on carbon energy which causes pollution.
The artificial heat energy generated by the fusion reaction generating machine, Tokamak, can
reach 150 million degrees Celsius, 15 times hotter than the sun's core. if successful, then mankind will not
have to worry about running out of energy for daily needs. The reason is that we no longer need to rely on
fossil-based energy which continues to decrease in number.

REFERENCES

Elizabeth gamillo. China’s Artificial Sun Just Broke a Record for Longest Sustained Nuclear Fusion.
Superheated plasma reached 126 million degrees Fahrenheit for 17 minutes. Daily correspondent.
January, 10 2022.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/chinas-artificial-sun-reactor-broke-record-for-nuclear-
fusion-180979336/

The Indian Express, Explained: What is China’s ‘artificial sun’ experimental fusion reactor that has set a
record?https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-chinas-artificial-sun-
experimental-fusion-reactor-that-has-set-a-new-record-7341397/

CNN Indonesia Baca artikel CNN Indonesia "Kegunaan Matahari Buatan China, Sediakan Energi
Berlimpah"https://www.cnnindonesia.com/teknologi/20201210154410-199-580586/kegunaan-
matahari-buatan-china-sediakan-energi-berlimpah//