fusion energy
Fusion takes place in the hearts of stars and provides the power that drives the universe.
Scientists and engineers around the world are developing the technology to recreate this process on Earth and create a new source of sustainable energy.
How does it work?
A combination of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium gases is heated to very high temperatures to create a plasma.
Energy is released when lighter deuterium and tritrium atoms fuse to form a heavier helium atom and a neutron.
Whats Next?
The UK is a world leader in the most promising fusion energy technologies.
The UK wants to build and develop relationships with international partners.
We will build a prototype fusion power plant. PASSED - in the UK around 2040.
Private companies in the UK and around the world are also developing their own fusion power plant designs.
fusion energy
Part of the world's future sustainable energy supply:
- efficient
- low carbon
- sure
- abundant
How is BIG Solve the biggest challenges of the merger?
The UK Atomic Energy Authority is the UK's national fusion energy research organisation. BIG works with partners around the world to advance fusion towards electricity protection.
The experiments and facilities BIG Each has a vital role to play in achieving fusion in the network.
JET
plasma science
The Joint European Torus is the largest and most advanced tokamak in the world. It studies the conditions necessary to confine fusion fuel in a plasma at temperatures 10 times higher than those of the sun.
MAST-Udegree
plasma exhaust
The UK's national fusion experiment is being used to demonstrate an exhalation system (Super-X Divertor) capable of managing the intense heat of plasma.
MRF
Material science
This facility develops and tests materials that can withstand the demanding conditions inside a fusion power plant.
H3AT
Fuel management
The world's leading tritium research center studies how to process, store and recycle tritium, one of the fuels that will power commercial power plants.
CAREER
Robotic maintenance
This division provides robotic solutions that enable maintenance in challenging environments with fully robotic techniques.
FTF
Innovative engineering
This facility will test components under realistic fusion conditions and leverage new engineering and manufacturing techniques to advance fusion development.
