Thermonuclear Energy
The EU has been engaged for four decades in developing technologies to achieve controlled thermonuclear fusion. EU funded numerous researches, various technical solutions, inertial and magnetic confinement of plasma, experimental reactors and participated in international joint ventures.
One of the most ambitious projects ever is the participation in the international project ITER, whose site is in the south of France. ITER is a unique project to build the largest fusion machine in the world. Although a purely experimental device, it is hoped that ITER will demonstrate the technological feasibility of a controlled thermonuclear fusion power reactor.
ITER, which was signed by China, Euratom (represented by the European Commission), India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the USA in 2006. The European contribution to ITER is funded from the EU budget. For the period 2021 to 2027, the EU decided to allocate €5.61 billion to the project, following a Council decision in February 2021.
The United Kingdom and the EU have concluded a trade and cooperation agreement and a protocol, in December 2020, by which the United Kingdom continues to participate in ITER activities through its membership to F4E.
EU is also developing other international projects. One is JT-60SA, design and construction of the world’s largest tokamak reactor. A study on the benefits of broader approach activities under the current agreement and the expected benefits of continued participation was published in May 2021
Where and how EU is involved
In 2007, the European Agency Fusion for Energy, based in Barcelona, was established. It is responsible for the participation of the EU, national laboratories and industries in the ITER project and other projects.
The EU makes significant investments in European industry and over €4 billion has already been invested in recent years, increasing European technological skills.
In 2007, the European Agency Fusion for Energy, based in Barcelona, was established. It is responsible for the participation of the EU, national laboratories and industries in the ITER project and other projects.
The EU makes significant investments in European industry and over €4 billion has already been invested in recent years, increasing European technological skills.
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The EU manages its nuclear fusion programme through EUROfusion
EUROfusion is the European Consortium for Development of Fusion Energy, formed by the the national fusion laboratories. The fusion programme is explained by the European research roadmap to the realisation of fusion energy. In 2021, the EU is committed with €857 million to ITER project and €9,8 million on pilot projects and preparatory work. Although ITER itself will not produce electricity, DEMO - the device that will follow - will likely model a real future fusion power plant and produce electricity, with the goal of fusion electricity in the grid by 2050. |
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