Total Quantity or Scope

The UK Atomic Energy Authority, UKAEA, aims to establish a national programme (the STEP Programme) that will explore the options, challenges and solutions for accelerating fusion delivery, seeking to identify a pathway to supply net energy by the early 2040’s. The first phase seeks to establish a collaboration with government organisations, industry and academia in a multi-pronged approach. Objectives of the programme include: — to identify and develop a robust compact fusion reactor design capable of demonstrating net electricity and seeking to minimise the capital cost, — to design and prototype components, emphasising manufacturability, as well as to develop innovative approaches to accelerate integrated engineering design and construction of this first of a kind, complex facility, — to innovate, advancing underpinning science and technology while embedding skills development, — to learn how to licence a first of a kind fusion reactor on a rapid timescale, — to simplify the design, operation and maintenance of the reactor, — to develop reliable models for costs and timescale to delivery. UK Government has committed an initial 20 000 000 GBP for work on a conceptual design – affording plenty of opportunities for academia and industry to get involved. UKAEA invites initial expressions of interest from economic operators and other parties for the development of strategies and workplans for the start-up phases of this programme. UKAEA also invites interested parties to attend one of 2 events: On Thursday 31.1.2019 (15:00 – 18:00) at the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Rotherham, Yorkshire. On Friday 1.2.2019 (10:30 – 13:30) at the Royal Academy of Engineering in central London. Both events will comprise short presentations on the STEP project followed by refreshments and a chance to network and learn more about the opportunities for collaboration. If you are able to attend either event, please contact Lisa Jones (lisa.jones@ukaea.uk or 01235 466375) as soon as possible. Due to capacity issues, UKAEA is not able to guarantee attendance at the events. This will not impede future participation in the programme and briefing materials will be available after the events.