Europe signs contract to heat up ITER’s plasma

Fusion for Energy (F4E), the organisation managing Europe's contribution to ITER, has signed a contract with Ampegon to design, manufacture, install and commission the power supplies for the Electron Cyclotron system, one of ITER's heating systems, that will make its hot plasma reach 150 million degrees Celsius .

The company has made history being Switzerland's first ever SME to contribute to the prestigious fusion energy project. According to Professor Henrik Bindslev, F4E Director, "ITER offers a vast range of business opportunities to small, medium and larger companies. Today's signature proves yet again that SMEs have a role to play to the most ambitious international collaboration in the field of energy". Josef Troxler, Ampegon CEO, explained that "the power supplies are a critical element of the machine. We are proud to offer our expertise and be amongst the companies that will build the world's largest fusion project".

The role of the Electron Cyclotron as part of ITER's external heating systems:

The temperature inside ITER needs to reach approximately 150 million degrees Celsius, almost ten times the temperature at the core of the sun. The electron cyclotron is one of the heating systems that will be used to achieve the fusion reaction.

It will operate like a powerful microwave oven. High frequency electromagnetic waves will transfer their energy to the plasma, raise its temperature and drive additional current to sustain longer discharges. The precision of the electron cyclotron will help scientists to target specific plasma areas that require an extra blast of heat and maintain plasma confinement and stability.

During the next six years, Ampegon AG will work to deliver 8 out of the ITER's 12 main high voltage power supplies (55kV/100A) and 16 body power supplies (35kV/100mA). The main task of power supplies will be to transform the electricity from the grid to regulated direct current and voltage that ITER will need to generate the electromagnetic waves. The power supplies system will be designed to shut down in less than 10 micro-seconds.

Provided by ITER