Fusion power breakthrough

A breakthrough in fusion research technology has been claimed by the European consortium that is responsible for developing the ITER international project to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion power.

Fusion for Energy, with the support of the European Commission, Japan Atomic Energy Agency and ITER Organisation, have successfully tested a prototype superconductor for the ITER Poloidal Field coils.

Made of Niobium(Nb)-Titanium(Ti), the coils reached a stable operation at 52kA in a magnetic field of 6.4 Tesla. They will be used to maintain the plasma equilibrium and shape inside the ITER Tokamak reactor.

Didier Gambier, director at Fusion for Energy, said: ‘This is a breakthrough for the fusion community. We have successfully tested and demonstrated a key technology milestone which is integral to the success of ITER. Based on these achievements, Europe, Russia and China will proceed with the procurement of the ITER Poloidal Field conductor.'

The test coil, with an outer diameter of 1.5m and weighing six tons, was the product of an international collaboration between Russia, Europe and Japan.