全球最大核聚變工程有望創造終極清潔能源大綱

The world's largest nuclear fusion project that will replicate reactions in the sun to create the ultimate clean energy source has begun assembly in France.

全球最大的核聚變工程已在法國開始裝配，將複製太陽內部反應以創造終極清潔能源。

Located in Provence, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor — or ITER, for short — is expected to start delivering energy in the year 2035.

位於普羅旺斯的國際熱核聚變實驗堆（簡稱爲ITER）計劃於2035年開始輸送能源。

Fusion power works by colliding heavy hydrogen atoms to form helium — releasing vast amounts of energy in the process, as occurs naturally in the centre of stars.

核聚變工程是通過重氫原子碰撞形成氦，反應過程中釋放巨大能量，仿照恆星中心自然的反應過程。

Seven main international partners are collaborating to bring ITER's practical fusion power to reality — including China, Europe, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the US.

七大主要國際合作夥伴正在共同努力使國際熱核聚變實驗堆產生實際的核聚變能量，參與這一工程的有中國、歐洲、印度、日本、俄羅斯、韓國和美國。

The ITER project was launched in 2006 and had originally planned to conduct its first test run this year, to reach full fusion by 2023.

國際熱核聚變實驗堆工程於2006年開始，最初計劃在今年首次試運行，到2023年實現完全聚變。

However, the project has faced assorted delays as a result of financing issues, budgetary overrun and, most recently, set-backs due to COVID-19.

但由於資金問題、預算超支以及最近的疫情影響，該項目多次被推遲。