UK Atomic Energy Authority Awards Contracts worth £6.8 Million to Seven Organisations
The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), as part of the Small Business Research Initiatives competition, has selected seven organisations to receive a total of £6.8 million in contracts to develop concepts for fusion power development. The contracts will focus on digital engineering and fusion fuel requirements to address the challenges of developing fusion power. All challenges were launched through the Small Business Research Initiatives Competition as innovation competitions.
The seven organisations are a mix of start-ups, small and medium-sized businesses, established companies, and academics. The awards announced today aim to engage the private sector in the technical challenges facing the development of fusion power. Fusion Energy Minister Andrew Bowie stated that the UK has invested over £700 million in research to help drive this unique low-carbon power offshore locations in the coming years. Today’s funding through the Fusion Industry Program will drive transformative new technologies pioneered by UK companies to jump-start fusion, taking fusion from scientific vision to commercial reality.
Organisations that were selected to work on digital engineering challenges include Full Matrix Ltd and the University of Manchester. Organisations focused on reducing the fuel requirements of fusion power plants through research into advanced hydrogen isotope production and handling technologies include Gencoa Ltd, AqSorption Ltd, IS-Instruments Ltd, the University of Bristol, and the University of Liverpool.
Fusion power holds enormous promise as a low-carbon, sustainable energy source for future generations. The announcements come as the UKAEA is doing cutting-edge work with academia, other research organisations and the industrial supply chain to develop commercialisation of fusion power.
Fusion power is sometimes described as the ultimate power source with the potential to provide base load power. By complementing renewable and other low-carbon energy sources, it could be transformative for energy security and climate change.
The latest announcement follows the award of 18 Fusion Industry Program contracts earlier this year for the development of new fusion materials, manufacturing techniques, and innovative heating and cooling systems.
The latest challenge of the Fusion Industry Program aims to foster innovation in the development of lithium technologies. Up to £1.5 million for prototype development and evaluation is available to organisations, to “realize the potential of lithium in an economical, sustainable and scalable fusion power fuel cycle.” The closing date for applications is July 19, 2023.
Exploring the Potential of Fusion Power
Fusion power is a unique but challenging energy source that could provide a significant amount of base load power. The UK is a major player in the development of fusion power, investing heavily in research and development over the last several years. With significant potential to be a low-carbon, sustainable energy source for future generations, the development of fusion power could have a transformative effect on energy security and climate change.
There are significant challenges to developing fusion power, including the high heat and pressure requirements necessary to create and maintain a fusion reaction. Despite these challenges, there have been several breakthroughs in recent years that have brought fusion power closer to commercial realisation.
The development of technologies that can leverage the potential of fusion power is critical to its success. Digital engineering is one area that could significantly reduce the time and cost of developing fusion power technologies. By using advanced digital modelling tools, research teams can simulate and optimise designs, identify potential issues, and test solutions without the need for expensive physical prototypes.
Research into advanced hydrogen isotope production and handling technologies is also critical to the success of fusion power. Tritium, a hydrogen isotope, is a key fuel for fusion reactions and is difficult to produce and handle safely. Developing more efficient and safe tritium production and handling technologies will be critical to making fusion power commercially viable.
One of the key advantages of fusion power is that it is a sustainable and virtually limitless source of energy. Unlike fossil fuels, which produce harmful emissions, or renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which are subject to weather patterns, fusion power is not dependent on finite resources or weather patterns. This makes it an attractive energy source for the future.
Conclusion
The UKAEA’s Fusion Industry Program is a critical initiative that is driving the development of fusion power technologies. The recent announcement of £6.8 million in contracts to seven organisations is another step towards making fusion power a commercial reality. With so much potential to be a low-carbon, sustainable energy source for future generations, it is critical that research and development continue. By developing transformative new technologies and building the skills and capabilities required for commercial success, the UK can position itself as a leader in this important field.
Summary
The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has awarded seven organisations a total of £6.8 million in contracts to develop concepts for fusion power development. The contracts will focus on digital engineering and fusion fuel requirements to address the challenges of developing fusion power. The awards aim to engage the private sector in the technical challenges facing the development of fusion power. Organisations included in the contracts are a mix of start-ups, small and medium-sized businesses, established companies, and academics. Developing technologies that can leverage the potential of fusion power is critical to its success. While there are significant challenges to the development of fusion power, such as the high heat and pressure requirements necessary to create and maintain a fusion reaction, the development of these transformative new technologies could be a significant step towards making fusion power a commercial reality and positioning the UK as a leader in this important field of energy research.
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Seven organizations have been awarded contracts with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to develop their innovative solutions and technologies to the ‘proof of concept’ stage.
With a total value of £6.8 million, the contracts have been awarded to organizations focusing on digital engineering and fusion fuel requirements to address the challenges of fusion power development.
All challenges were launched through the Small Business Research Initiatives Competition as ‘Innovation Competitions’.
The contracts are funded by the Fusion Industry Program launched in 2021, which is part of the UK Government’s £484m support package for science. The program is stimulating the growth of the UK fusion industry by developing technology and skills for the future global market for fusion power plants.
The seven organizations come from a variety of start-ups, small and medium-sized businesses, established companies, and academics. Organizations focusing on digital engineering challenges include Full Matrix Ltd and the University of Manchester.
Organizations focused on reducing the fuel requirements of fusion power plants through research into advanced hydrogen isotope production and handling technologies include Gencoa Ltd, AqSorption Ltd, IS-Instruments Ltd, the University of Bristol and the University of Liverpool.
Fusion Energy Minister Andrew Bowie said: “The UK is a world leader in getting fusion power off the ground, investing over £700m in research to help drive this unique low-carbon power offshore. locations in the coming years.
“Today’s funding, through the Fusion Industry Program, will drive transformative new technologies pioneered by UK companies to jump-start fusion, taking fusion from scientific vision to commercial reality.”
Tim Bestwick, UKAEA Director of Development, said: “Fusion holds enormous promise as a low-carbon, sustainable energy source for future generations.
“The second phase of the Fusion Industry Program gives organizations the opportunity to take their proposals to the next stage of development with resulting prizes of up to £1 million. The awards announced today aim to engage the private sector in the technical challenges facing the development of fusion power.”
UKAEA is doing cutting-edge work with academia, other research organizations and the industrial supply chain to develop the commercialization of fusion power.
Fusion power is sometimes described as the ultimate power source with the potential to provide “base load” power. By complementing renewable and other low-carbon energy sources, it could be transformative for energy security and climate change.
This latest announcement follows the award of 18 Fusion Industry Program contracts earlier this year for the development of new fusion materials, manufacturing techniques, and innovative heating and cooling systems.
There is still time to apply for the latest challenge of the Fusion Industry Program, which aims to foster innovation in the development of lithium technologies. Up to £1.5m for prototype development and evaluation is available to organisations, to “realize the potential of lithium in an economical, sustainable and scalable fusion power fuel cycle”. The closing date is July 19, 2023.
For more information on the Fusion Industry Program, visit: ccfe.ukaea.uk
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukaea-awards-68m-of-contracts
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