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BLOMGREN BENCHMARK
A nuclear professor debunks fusion myths
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Fusion has long been called the energy of the future. But how close are we really?
Jan Blomgren examines fusion’s enormous promise – and the problems that still need to be solved.
How can we produce enough tritium to keep the reaction going? What happens when high-energy neutrons damage the materials inside the reactor? And why could turning fusion into a reliable power plant be much harder than the headlines suggest?
And perhaps most importantly: could fusion have another valuable role – as a powerful source of neutrons?
For feedback or comments about the program, email us at podden@epochtimes.se – and don’t forget to specify which podcast and episode you’re referring to.
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2. Energy built civilization – now AI needs massive energy
16:03||Season 1, Ep. 2What happens when AI requires more electricity than today's power grid can deliver?Jan Blomgren explains why energy is one of civilization's most important building blocks—and why the AI revolution may now force a new perspective on nuclear power, electricity production, and Europe's energy policy.For feedback or comments on the program, email us at podden@epochtimes.se – and don't forget to specify which podcast and episode it concerns.1. Why are wind and solar power challenging – beyond uneven production? – Jan Blomgren
20:33||Season 1, Ep. 1NEW PODCAST!What happens to an electricity system when large, heavy power plants are replaced by wind and solar?It’s a question that rarely features in the political debate. But according to nuclear physicist Jan Blomgren, it is crucial to understanding the energy systems of the future.In the first episode of Blomgren Benchmark, Jan examines what is actually happening behind the power outlet. Why is it important for the grid to maintain exactly 50 cycles per second? What does it mean for a nuclear power plant to have more than a thousand tonnes of rotating mass directly connected to the grid? And what happens when that kind of stability is replaced by weather-dependent generation?Blomgren also discusses the major blackout that hit Spain and Portugal in 2025, and explores how instability in an electricity system can develop into a chain reaction, with protective systems shutting down one after another.At the same time, the question arises whether batteries can solve the problem. Can enormous battery farms store enough energy to power an entire country when the wind dies down and the sun isn’t shining?Blomgren’s answer is clear: batteries can be extremely useful in the right context, but they cannot simply replace the stability and energy capacity required to support an entire electricity system.An episode about the physics behind electricity – and what happens when ideological ambitions meet the technical limitations of reality.For feedback or comments about the program, email us at podden@epochtimes.se – and don’t forget to specify which podcast and episode you’re referring to.