Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production<\/a> – aims to deliver a prototype fusion energy plant in the UK, targeting operations in 2040.<\/p>\nThe fusion energy plant will be built at West Burton in Nottinghamshire and will prove the viability of fusion for transforming the UK\u2019s energy supply, providing low-carbon, safe, and near-limitless power.<\/p>\n
The UKAEA\u2019s deal with CV\u0158, the Czech Republic\u2019s research organisation, marks a pivotal milestone in the plant\u2019s development.<\/p>\n
The use-of-facility agreement will allow the testing of High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) tapes, which are essential for developing the prototype fusion energy plant.<\/p>\n
Marek Miklos, Business Development Manager from CV\u0158, commented: \u201cWorking in partnership with the STEP team is a fantastic opportunity to support the UK\u2019s world-leading programme to develop a prototype fusion energy plant.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Hi-CrIS testing rig will open lots of opportunities for further material studies for fusion applications.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fusion energy and superconductors<\/h3>\n The UKAEA and CV\u0158 will partner to develop Hi-CrIS (High neutron fluence Cryogenic Irradiation of Superconductors), a pioneering test rig.<\/p>\n
This collaboration aims to evaluate the impact of a neutron spectrum relevant to fusion energy on the superconducting properties of HTS tapes.<\/p>\n
The STEP project plans to utilise HTS tapes to confine fusion plasma, a superheated gas of hydrogen isotopes, within a tokamak.<\/p>\n
At temperatures exceeding 150 million degrees Celsius, the isotopes fuse into helium, generating energy in the form of neutrons.<\/p>\n
Hi-CrIS rig development<\/h3>\n Expected to become operational in 2026, the Hi-CrIS rig will provide crucial data for optimising the design and lifespan of STEP\u2019s superconducting magnetic components.<\/p>\n
These components are designed to withstand cryogenic temperatures (-253\u00b0C) and high-energy neutron flux.<\/p>\n
HTS tape samples will undergo irradiation with high-energy neutrons using CV\u0158\u2019s LVR-15 light water tank-type research reactor.<\/p>\n
Throughout transportation and measurement, the samples will be maintained at 20 Kelvin to simulate their operating environment accurately.<\/p>\n
The collaboration between UKAEA and CV\u0158 signifies a significant advancement in fusion technology testing, laying the groundwork for future developments.<\/p>\n
To learn more about the STEP project, read our article from Paul Methven<\/a>, CEO of UKIFS, a subsidiary of UKAEA.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The UKAEA has signed a multi-year deal with CV\u0158 to further the development of the UK fusion energy plant called STEP.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":47089,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24204],"tags":[24617,24134,24407],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
UKAEA and CV\u0158 collaborate to develop UK fusion energy plant<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n