Tokamak Energy’s fusion facility to get game-changer upgrade as US, UK join hands
This program will advance fusion science and technology for spherical tokamaks.
The governments of the United States and the United Kingdom have joined hands with Tokamak Energy to advance the nuclear fusion science and technology needed for a future pilot plant.
The new collaboration plans to jointly sponsor a $52 million upgrade to the ST40 experimental fusion facility.
The partnership aims to achieve fusion conditions with good confinement suitable for sustained operation in a future pilot plant. This will be done by coating the inner wall of the ST40 device with lithium.
Project to start in 2025
The project is scheduled to start in 2025, and the total funding of $52 million is divided equally among the three partners.
Tokamak Energy’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.K.’s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) aims to establish shared access and development of facilities needed for fusion research and development (R&D).
“This represents a huge leverage opportunity for advancing fusion science and technology. These new investments will strengthen our partnerships with the private sector and our international allies. Each partner stands to gain significantly more than the funds committed,” said Dr Geraldine Richmond, DOE Under Secretary for Science and Innovation.