Nuclear fusion: the Holy Grail or a false solution?
07/07/2026Is nuclear fusion an energy source of the future? A symposium held at the University of Würzburg addressed this hotly debated question, and the proceedings of the event are now available.
Nuclear fusion, which has been researched as an energy source since the 1950s, represents one of the greatest technological challenges of our time. Hailed by some as the ‘Holy Grail’ of energy supply, others regard it as a mere ‘false solution’ offering no benefit on the path to climate neutrality.
Three JMU professors organised a symposium
What role will nuclear fusion play in the future energy market, and what risks are associated with it? What are the key factors for societal acceptance? And what legal framework is required for the safe operation of the plants?
These and other questions were addressed at the interdisciplinary symposium ‘Nuclear Fusion – Energy Source of the Future?’, held on 26 September 2025 at the University of Würzburg. It was organised by the Würzburg professors Markus Ludwigs (Law), Karl Mannheim (Astrophysics) and Kyrill-Alexander Schwarz (Law).
Speakers from various disciplines explained the fundamentals and challenges of the technology and addressed the sociological, physical and economic issues. The conference was rounded off by a high-profile panel discussion, in which the astrophysicist and science journalist Harald Lesch also took part.
New publication: Open-access conference proceedings
An open-access proceedings volume has now been published to document the symposium. Funded by the Schulze-Fielitz Foundation in Berlin, it contains not only the written versions of the presentations but also a record of the panel discussion. Key topics include an in-depth analysis of the legal framework for nuclear fusion, as well as proposals for its further development.
International symposium in October 2026
The symposium marked the launch of a new interdisciplinary research initiative on nuclear fusion: the early-career research group ‘Legal Issues in Fusion Energy’ at the Faculty of Law, led by Dr Philipp Sauter since April 2026. The Free State of Bavaria is funding the group as part of the ‘Nuclear Fusion’ master plan.
Dr Sauter’s team had already organised a lecture series during the summer semester of 2026. On 1 October 2026, it will host the“International Symposium on Fusion Energy Law”in the Audimax at JMU on Sanderring. The focus will then be on the international perspective on fusion energy.
Publication
Nuclear Fusion – Energy Source of the Future? Proceedings of the symposium held on 26 September 2025 at Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg. Edited by Markus Ludwigs, Kyrill-Alexander Schwarz and Karl Mannheim. Vol. 34 of the ‘Schriften zum Deutschen und Europäischen Infrastrukturrecht’ series, Duncker & Humblot 2026,
Open Access: https://doi.org/10.3790/978-3-428-59803-8
