What: The 23rd IAEA Fusion Energy Conference

When: Saturday October 9 - Saturday October 16, 2010

Where: Daejon Convention Center (DCC)

Daejon will host the 23^rd International Atomic Energy Agency Fusion Energy Conference, where great minds in search of a clean and abundant source of energy will explore nuclear fusion solutions for a waiting world.

What is Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion is the mechanism that allows the sun and stars to generate energy and is the source of all living beings on the earth. The nuclear fusion energy that is generated when light atomic particles combine is an environmentally-friendly and safe energy source, which could generate massive power to resolve critical problems facing mankind, such as depletion of fossil fuel reserves and global warming. Nuclear Fusion represents an eco-rich supply of green energy for mankind in the future and promises to change the energy paradigm of the 21st century.

What is the IAEA FEC 2010

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) fosters the exchange of scientific and technical results on nuclear fusion research through the series of its Fusion Energy Conferences. The 23rd IAEA Fusion Energy Conference (FEC 2010), hosted by Korea's National Fusion Research Institute (NFRI) and the Daejeon Metropolitan City, is aimed at providing a forum for discussing driving physics and technology issues as well as innovative aspects of direct relevance to fusion as a source of nuclear energy.

In past years other conferences in this series have been held in Salzburg (1961), Culham (1965), Novosibirsk (1968), Madison (1971), Tokyo (1974), Berchtesgaden (1976), Innsbruck (1978), Brussels (1980), Baltimore (1982), London (1984), Kyoto (1986), Nice (1988), Washington, DC (1990), Würzburg (1992), Seville (1994), Montreal (1996), Yokohama (1998), Sorrento (2000), Lyon (2002), Vilamoura (2004), Chengdu (2006) and Geneva (2008). In October 2010, Daejon will join this impressive list of host cities.

Encounter the Energy of Hope in 2010

The IAEA FEC, called by some the “Olympics of Fusion Energy” is the most renowned international conference and a must-attend event on every fusion scientist’s calendar. Held biennially, with 1,500 fusion experts and policymakers attending from all around the globe, knowledge and future steps on fusion energy as the ultimate green energy will be shared. The latest research achievements and technical information on fusion energy will be recognized. The IAEA FEC will provide opportunities for exchange and cooperation among fusion researchers in advanced societies including the U.S., the EU and Japan, to name a few. It will also serve to promote Korea’s excellence in the field of fusion technologies. KSTAR (Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research), dubbed as ‘the Sun of Korea’ will be a center piece of the conference.

The IAEA FEC will raise the public's level of understanding of fusion energy and facilitate the growth of the industry. Additionally, the conference will offer opportunities for the public to learn about fusion energy as the major driver in an era of knowledge-based energy and pave the way for the fusion industry to flourish as a cluster of ultra-advanced technologies.

What is KSTAR

‘KSTAR’ is a domestically developed and world renowned technological development. Its quality and significance was globally recognized when it reached full scale operation last year, after it had successfully delivered ten times more fusion energy than the amount needed to heat plasma to required temperatures for the first time in 2008. As Korea operates KSTAR as an international nuclear fusion joint research tool, it is serving to solidify the nation's presence as a leader in the fusion research field.

Conference program sessions will include the Fusion Energy Conference Technical Session, Green Forum, International Youth Conference and several social events.

During the FEC Technical Session there will be presentations by invited speakers on the latest achievements (research papers) on fusion energy R&D, self-sealing theories and modeling, device experimentation, inertial fusion devices and theories. Also during this session the latest developments of the construction and operation of KSTAR and the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor in Korea will be shared. An update on activities around the developments of advanced fusion technologies and R&D at global fusion devices around the world will be provided. Safety, environmental and economic aspects of nuclear fusion will also be discussed.

In a recent message regarding the conference, Gyung-Su Lee, Chairperson of the 23rd IAEA FEC Organizing Committee and President of the National Fusion Research Institute said "Korea was a late comer in the fusion energy research field only 15 years ago. But now, Korea has grown into a major player in the fusion research by constructing and developing KSTAR, the superconducting fusion research system, with domestic technologies. In particular, as KSTAR was in full operation, showcasing to the world its better-than-expected performances, fusion energy scientists throughout the world pay a greater attention on its role as the international joint fusion research device."

The conference will also feature several exhibits of interest to the fusion energy community. The subjects will range from promoting companies in the industry to expanding the participation in KSTAR and raising competitiveness of the fusion industry of Korea. Exhibitors in the Green Festival will strive to raise public awareness about national energy policies and green energy by holding experience events. Additionally, they will demonstrate the vision and green commitment of FEC through Daejeon Metropolitan City’s ‘Tashu’ event, which will focus on riding bikes and feature green ribbon / balloon hanging events.

In written remarks, Hong-chul Yum, Mayor of Daejeon Metropolitan City said "The

21st century is an era in which the welfare and prosperity of mankind are directly linked to the development of science and technology. Only those nations, cities and businesses that excel in advanced science an technology will be able to take a leading role in driving forward a new civilization for all mankind." This edition of the IAEA FEC is sure to demonstrate to the world Korea's excellence in advanced science and technology and it's place as a leader in the quest for a source of clean and safe energy though nuclear fusion.

 

For information on the specific program schedule and details about the convention, please visit their web site at http://www.fec2010.kr/. More about the International Atomic Energy Agency, can be found at their web site at http://www.iaea.org