EUROfusion

Meet the leaders of our new R&D departments! We are excited to announce the leaders of our four new R&D departments within the EUROfusion Programme Management Unit. With our strategic decision to split our existing two R&D departments into four, EUROfusion optimises its scientific and technical operations and drives forward towards its goal of realising sustainable fusion energy. Our new R&D departments and their leaders are: •   Marco Wischmeier — Plasma Science for ITER DEMO and Stellarators •   Volker Naulin — Digital Solutions for Fusion •   Gianfranco Federici — ITER Technology and DEMO Preparation •   Joelle Elbez-Uzan — Innovation DEMO and Fusion Power Plants https://lnkd.in/e3u2BAtc #road2fusion #fusionineurope #Euratom

Together with the EUROfusion Advanced Computing Hub at the Swiss Plasma Center at EPFL, the EPFL Laboratory for Experimental Museology (EM ) created this amazing real-time visualisation of the plasma particles dancing inside a tokamak. Not just a pretty video — this animation uses high-resolution scans, simulations and real experimental data to help scientists make sense of all the processes inside a real fusion experiment!

Fusion for Energy (F4E) congratulates EPFL Swiss Plasma Center at EPFL for their new fusion visualisation system, commissioned by EUROfusion. The tool turns terabytes of data and complex physics models into a realistic 3D recreation of plasma. It’s an inspiration for the #fusion community and the broader public! Read about how they made it: https://lnkd.in/ekBFAy9p #fusionenergy #3D #plasma #plasmaphysics #engineering #innovation Take an immersive dive into a tokamak with their video 👇

Happy 70th birthday UK Atomic Energy Authority!

How does the delay of the ITER project affect the future of energy? What challenges are now at the forefront? Hartmut Zohm explains the latest developments and their implications for fusion research. The ITER management has presented a plan that deals with the serious problems in a very intelligent way. It has not simply postponed the old deadlines, but has re-prioritised and reorganised work steps, which is possible because there are only problems with a small number of components. The plans have also been adapted to the current state of knowledge, so that tungsten is now being used as the material for the first wall instead of beryllium - a development that was only made possible by the research at ASDEX Upgrade. ITER will also have a much stronger plasma heater than originally planned. https://lnkd.in/d2DjMaBU

UKAEA, together with EUROfusion is proud that Fernanda Rimini has been honoured with the prestigious 2024 Fusion Technology Award by the IEEE Nuclear & Plasma Sciences Society. This recognition is awarded every other year at the Symposium on Fusion Engineering (SOFE) conference and highlights significant achievements in the field of fusion technology… Fernanda was recognised for her leadership in the JET Deuterium-Tritium (D-T) operations, which have been instrumental in advancing global understanding and implementation of fusion technology. The award not only recognises her technical expertise but also her outstanding leadership, and the huge efforts of the entire team behind JET – spanning from engineering brilliance to scientific excellence. Feedback from the judging panel stated that: “Dr Rimini has led initiatives that encapsulate the collaborative spirit necessary for groundbreaking advancements in fusion energy. The recognition underscores her role in fostering a synergistic environment that leverages the strengths of both EUROfusion’s scientific staff and the leadership at JET." Joe Milnes, previous Head of JET Operations, said: “Having been part of the JET team for the preparation and delivery of the DTE2 experiments, I was privileged to witness first-hand the incredible commitment and capabilities displayed by Fernanda and the whole JET team throughout that period. “It has been said before that JET’s successes are really down to the world-class people who work on this machine and I can’t think of anyone who exemplifies the collaborative, creative and can-do spirit essential to JET’s success than Fernanda – a truly deserving recipient of this award.” The Fusion Technology Award comprises a $3,000 prize and a commemorative plaque, which Fernanda will receive at the IEEE 31st SOFE event in Boston, Massachusetts, in June 2025. At this event, she will also deliver an invited talk, sharing insights and experiences from her illustrious career in fusion technology. A spokesperson for EUROfusion said: “This award reaffirms our commitment to advancing fusion technology through collaborative and innovative efforts. We are thrilled to celebrate Dr Rimini’s achievements and look forward to continuing our support for her work and the broader goals of the fusion energy community.” For more information about the Fusion Technology Award and the IEEE NPSS, please see: https://lnkd.in/eKk7WRUw l Plasma Science and Fusion Center at MIT l

Ambrogio Fasoli represented EUROfusion at the EPS2024 conference, delivering a compelling message about the power of collaboration in the fusion energy sector. He stated, "We are all in the same boat, and it can only move forward if we row together." Ambrogio stressed the need for openness and transparency: "To row efficiently together, we need to be open, share our successes and failures, and communicate transparently." This reinforces our trust in the fusion endeavour and the importance of working together to achieve our goals. #FusionEnergy #Collaboration #EPS2024 #EUROfusion #road2fusion

“An energy source that is emission free, renewable and uses almost no fuel sounded too good to be true… Being a gear in the machine that tries to make it happen gives a sense of application that I enjoy.” - Dipl.-Ing. Johannes Brötzner (University of Technology of Vienna) Read the new Ph.D.-interview here: https://lnkd.in/dSCDqsUk #fusionresearch #fusionenergy #nuclearfusion #education #PhDInterview #EUROfusion

The almost unfathomable energy of 150-million-degree plasmas makes the protection of large tokamak devices like ITER crucial. Accurate predictions of runaway electron (RE) load distribution help minimize damage during worst-case scenarios and optimize plasma termination strategies.   EUROfusion supported the research led by Hannes Bergström and co-authors, accepted for publication by the Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion journal. The study introduces advanced modelling capabilities within the JOREK code, providing detailed predictions for ITER and highlighting key strategies to mitigate the impacts of REs.   This research is a critical component of our mission to support ITER and advance the realization of fusion energy. By understanding and mitigating the effects of runaway electrons, we take significant steps toward ensuring the safety and efficiency of fusion reactors. Thanks for sharing this news, Matthias Hoelzl, and congratulations Hannes! #FusionEnergy #ITER #EUROfusion #PlasmaPhysics #RunawayElectrons #ScientificResearch #road2fusion #euratom ITER Organization | Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics

On 3 July, ITER Director-General Pietro Barabaschi held a press conference with 200 journalists and key stakeholders to discuss the new project plan under evaluation. Key takeaways: 🔹 **ITER's goals remain unchanged**: The first experimental phase is delayed but will be more impactful. 🔹 **New Baseline Plan**: Presented at the 34th ITER Council Meeting, this replaces the 2016 plan. Delays from Covid and component repairs led to re-evaluation, presenting new opportunities. 🔹 **Robust Start to Operations**: Instead of a low-energy first plasma, the new plan prioritizes a more complete machine with integrated systems for hydrogen and deuterium-deuterium plasmas. 🔹 **Scientific Exploitation**: Aims for long pulses at full magnetic energy and current, making the start of research operations more significant. 🔹 **Upgraded Components**: Inclusion of divertor, blanket shield blocks, and other systems. Change from beryllium to tungsten for the plasma-facing blanket first wall, aligning with future fusion reactor projects. 🔹 **Timeline Adjustments**: Full magnetic energy in 2036 and deuterium-tritium operations in 2039, reflecting a delay of 3-4 years from the original plan. DG Barabaschi emphasized that ITER’s mission to demonstrate industrial-scale fusion and achieve a burning plasma with 500 MW of thermal fusion power (Q≥10) remains steadfast. Stay tuned for more updates as we move closer to revolutionizing energy with fusion power! Visit our website for more information. https://lnkd.in/dGjNQnVh #ITER #FusionEnergy #ScientificInnovation #EnergyFuture