Funding for fusion energy sensors

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is investing £3.5mln in sensor technology.

Thirteen organisations – 10 private companies and three academic institutions – have secured contracts to develop robust sensing technologies as part of the UKAEA’s Fusion Industry Programme.

Fusion power plants will operate under complex conditions, including extreme temperatures, high neutron loads and high magnetic fields.

Developing highly specialised, robust sensing and control technologies that can operate under these extreme conditions is essential to making fusion energy a commercially viable part of the world’s energy mix.

The 13 organisations will now undertake technical feasibility studies, taking their sensing and diagnostics technologies to proof-of concept stages.

Expert support is being provided by technical advisors from both UKAEA and Tokamak Energy Ltd.