{"id":25250,"date":"2022-09-06T08:47:26","date_gmt":"2022-09-06T07:47:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=25250"},"modified":"2024-09-12T12:12:40","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T11:12:40","slug":"the-road-to-commercialising-fusion-energy-in-the-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/the-road-to-commercialising-fusion-energy-in-the-uk\/25250\/","title":{"rendered":"The road to commercialising fusion energy in the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"

Heather Lewtas, Head of Innovation at UK Atomic Energy Authority<\/a>, provides updates on the latest activities in the UK\u2019s effort to commercialise fusion energy.<\/h2>\n

Fusion, where atomic nuclei collide and release energy, is the process that heats the Sun and all other stars. In the global transition to cleaner energy, developments in fusion power are significantly accelerating as recognition grows for its use as an abundant source of low carbon electricity.<\/p>\n

The UK is amongst many nations seeking to ramp-up activities to commercialise fusion energy. This is the main goal of government research organisation UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). An executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, UKAEA researches fusion energy and related technologies, with the aim of positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable fusion energy.<\/p>\n

UKAEA and other research organisations around the world are developing \u2018tokamak\u2019 devices, which use magnetic fields to confine fusion fuel, as a design for future fusion power plants. UKAEA\u2019s Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme aims to build a prototype fusion power plant in the UK by the early 2040s.<\/p>\n

Alongside STEP, the organisation\u2019s main research goals include the experiments on the MAST Upgrade spherical tokamak<\/a>; participation in the Joint European Torus (JET) research programme<\/a>; a theory and modelling programme which studies key areas of plasma physics and predicts performance of future tokamaks such as ITER; and studies of the materials and technology needed in ITER<\/a> and fusion power stations.<\/p>\n

Georgie Purcell, Editor of The Innovation Platform<\/em>, spoke to the UKAEA\u2019s Head of Innovation, Heather Lewtas, to discover how UKAEA is working to commercialise fusion energy.<\/p>\n

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Heather Lewtas, Head of Innovation at the UK Atomic Energy Authority<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What role can fusion energy play in meeting low carbon targets?<\/h3>\n

Fusion promises to be a safe, low carbon, and sustainable part of the world\u2019s future energy supply. It has the potential to provide \u2018baseload\u2019 power, complementing renewable and other low carbon energy sources as part of many countries\u2019 energy portfolios.<\/p>\n

As part of a \u2018low carbon energy mix\u2019, it could help sustain \u2018net zero\u2019 in the second half of the century and beyond.<\/p>\n

It is clear we must make significant changes to address the effects of climate change, and fusion energy offers huge potential as a near-limitless fuel, and a low carbon, safe, and sustainable power solution for the long term.<\/p>\n

Fusion complements other sustainable energy forms, and is not dependent on the weather, unlike solar and wind. Fusion energy is also carbon-free at the point of generation.<\/p>\n

What are the major challenges facing the path to commercialise fusion energy in the UK?<\/h3>\n

Achieving sustainable fusion energy is extremely difficult. It is one of the great scientific and engineering challenges of our time.<\/p>\n

We have conducted fusion experiments \u2013 at the megawatt scale \u2013 on the record-breaking Joint European Torus (JET). Building on our extensive experience and expertise, we are working on the design of powerplants that will produce net electricity. The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) is aiming to deliver a prototype UK fusion energy powerplant producing net electricity by the 2040s.<\/p>\n

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An external view of JET<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once proven in integrated plants, fusion needs to be deployed at scale to provide a low carbon source of power, addressing global demand. It can be used by industry or communities. We think fusion can be part of the world\u2019s energy supply in the second half of this century.<\/p>\n

UKAEA is also undertaking cutting-edge work with academia, other research organisations, and the industrial supply chain in a number of enabling areas. Putting fusion electricity on the grid (economically and reliably) using a tokamak requires finding and integrating technological solutions to several major challenges. These include:<\/p>\n