Progress in Confinement & Heating Increasing laser energy nn Confinement Parameter & Temperature

National Ignition Facility - USA Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory NIF Chamber

Inertial Fusion – Status of NIF/LMJ National Ignition Facility (USA): 192 laser beam facility operational March 2009 – Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (cost ~$4 billion) National Ignition Campaign (NIC) – inertial fusion “proof-of- principle” experiments planned for ~ (“central ignition”) international confidence level high for successful fusion ignition (basic science is established) invitation for Alberta program to participate in NIC (starting April 2009) – acceptance requires Alberta funding decision Laser MegaJoule (France): independent program & facility with the same capabilities as NIF

Inertial Fusion - Conceptual Power Plant

Issues - Challenges & Opportunities Energy/environment context – demand/supply/clean energy Fusion, an ultimate energy source – why the world wants it Achieving fusion – conditions, approaches, status, future Fusion R&D – spin-offs from a high technology driver Alberta opportunity – leadership & socio-economic benefits Implementation – strategy, funding, international protocols

Inertial Fusion R&D - Spin-offs High power lasers (diverse applications) Precision optics and opto-electronics Photonics (superseding electronics) Sensors, instrumentation and data processing Nanotechnology (lasers, optics, targets, chamber materials) Supercomputer modeling (fusion scientists were pioneers) Particle beam production & acceleration (medical applications) High energy density physics (laboratory astrophysics) Inertial fusion R&D is a major driver of innovation – with important l inkages to current Alberta innovation strategy

Inertial Fusion - Diode Laser Technology

Inertial Fusion - Ceramic Technology Source: LLNL Transparent ceramics ideal for high power laser applications

Inertial Fusion - Target Nanotechnology Source: LLNL Target is built up of layers with nm precision

Issues - Challenges & Opportunities Energy/environment context – demand/supply/clean energy Fusion, an ultimate energy source – why the world wants it Achieving fusion – conditions, approaches, status, future Fusion R&D – spin-offs from a high technology driver Alberta opportunity – leadership & socio-economic benefits Implementation – strategy, funding, international protocols

Fusion Energy - Alberta Opportunity Canada is the only OECD country without a fusion energy program – Alberta can change this Europe, Japan & the USA have opened their doors to us to collaborate in developing IFE Alberta has an image opportunity – to position us as an energy leader beyond 2040 (CCS bridging to fusion and renewables) All international fusion programs are government funded since timeframe is >20 years

Fusion Energy - Alberta Leadership Opportunity: national leadership in “clean” inertial fusion energy Opportunity: leverage investment (international linkages) Opportunity: early adopters will gain technological edge Opportunity: economic diversification (large program will attract high tech companies) Opportunity: potential host site for international test reactor Alberta would gain significant profile and economic benefits from an overarching fusion energy/environment initiative

Economic Impact – Job Growth Data from A/CFEI Economic Impact Study

Economic Impact – Value Data from A/CFEI Economic Impact Study

Issues - Challenges & Opportunities Energy/environment context – demand/supply/clean energy Fusion, an ultimate energy source – why the world wants it Achieving fusion – conditions, approaches, status, future Fusion R&D – spin-offs from a high technology driver Alberta opportunity – leadership & socio-economic benefits Implementation – strategy, funding, international protocols

Implementation - The Way Forward Phase I (3 years, ~$21M total – Alberta funding) –initiate fusion program as provincial priority –partner with international fusion R&D community –establish base (fusion success & initial R&D team) and plan for Phase II –negotiate federal participation in national IFE program based in Alberta for Phase II Phase II (5 years, ~$40M/year – joint funding) –first 5-year plan to include: 1) establishing laboratory facilities; 2) developing laser systems & related photonics; 3) continuing international collaboration; 4) developing reaction chamber technologies

Implementation - Phase I Results Critical mass of highly skilled people manpower capability A core facility (20TW) in Alberta technical capability Partner in first demonstration in high fusion gain visibility Participate in all major routes to fast ignition critical decision information Focus on high repetition rate laser development new photonics industrial sector in Alberta Build a base to establish a future fusion program become a recognized world player

The Proposal Alberta to implement & fund a fusion energy program as a priority (energy/environment/economy) Phase I funding required ~$21M over 3 years ($4M first year) to: –build R&D team via international collaboration (arranged) –participate in “proof-of-principle” fusion demonstration (USA) –establish base (fusion success & initial R&D team) for Phase II –prepare for change (socio-economic impact & policy analysis) Pursue a US/Canada fusion energy/environment protocol –build on powerful alliance with LLNL (DOE National Lab)

Implementation - Phase I Expenditures

Implementation - Phase I Budget Leveraging $4 billion USA investment