Reply #39: Fusion research is just barely to the point

[skepticscott]

of being able to initiate a fusion reaction that gives back more energy than is put in. Being able to sustain and contain a fusion reaction that produces enough energy to be commercially viable, and building reactors that won't fail because of degradation from neutron radiation are problems not even close to being solved.

Maybe in 50-100 years, fusion will be a practical, large-scale source of energy, but it certainly will not be in time to make up for dwindling oil.