Socio-economic studies

A successful fusion programme must lead to an energy source, which is both economically and socially acceptable. As the European Programme approaches ITER, which is the first step towards commercialisation, the societal implications acquire greater importance.

In order to get deeper knowledge on how this new form of energy generation can be integrated in society, EFDA performs since 1996 Socio-Economic Research on Fusion (SERF) , in which the expertise of researchers in the physical sciences, engineering and economic, social and environmental sciences is brought together.

The social part of the studies focuses on measuring the public opinion on fusion, collecting relevant sociological knowledge related to the acceptability of fusion as a contribution to a sustainable energy future energy source, and on clarifying ways to contribute to a proper governance of the fusion effort.

The economic part of the studies aim at analysing energy systems, energy markets and technology, studying the dynamics of technological development, and its implications for fusion (dependence of production costs on plant engineering, learning and experience, internalisation of externalities, development of the demands, regulations and policies), and preparing, possibly together with stakeholder of other energy options, fusion relevant sustainable energy scenarios with models that incorporate the 4 E´s: economy, engineering, energy, and environment.