全球最大核聚变工程有望创造终极清洁能源

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.

全球最大的核聚变工程已在法国开始装配，将复制太阳内部反应以创造终极清洁能源。

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

位于普罗旺斯的国际热核聚变实验堆（简称为ITER）计划于2035年开始输送能源。

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.

核聚变工程是通过重氢原子碰撞形成氦，反应过程中释放巨大能量，仿照恒星中心自然的反应过程。

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.

七大主要国际合作伙伴正在共同努力使国际热核聚变实验堆产生实际的核聚变能量，参与这一工程的有中国、欧洲、印度、日本、俄罗斯、韩国和美国。

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.

国际热核聚变实验堆工程于2006年开始，最初计划在今年首次试运行，到2023年实现完全聚变。

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

但由于资金问题、预算超支以及最近的疫情影响，该项目多次被推迟。