But for decades it has proved difficult to make the transition from scientific laboratory experiments to sustained power production.
A significant difficulty has been the process of fusing light atoms, isotopes of hydrogen or helium, together.
The Sun achieves this at its core thanks to its immense gravitational fields and its huge volume.
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Herein lies a significant part of the challenge.
And this needs to happen while maintaining confinement in a magnetic cage to sustain an energy output.
Small step or big leap?
The recent results mark a real stepping stone in the quest for fusion power.
To make the step to longer sustained high-power operations, superconducting magnets will be needed.
Other important challenges remain, however.
Without this ultimately being solved, an eventual fusion powerplant simply cannot be made to function.
This is why the JET results represent a significant landmark, albeit just marking a step along the way.
Crucial benefits
Theres a lot at stake.
Fusion produces more energy per gram of fuel than any other process that could be achieved on Earth.
Fusion does produce some radioactivity in the materials comprising the reactor.
Ultimately, Rome wasnt built in a day.
That means steps along the way which make progress are hugely important and should rightly be celebrated.
One day, it will provide a near limitless supply of low-carbon power for many future generations to come.
So while it is not quite there yet, it is coming.
