In October 2022, the West Burton coal-fired power plant site in Nottinghamshire, England, was selected to host the UK’s Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP). The demonstration plant is due to begin operating by 2040. The technical objectives of STEP are: to deliver predictable net electricity greater than 100 MW; to innovate to exploit fusion energy beyond electricity production; to ensure tritium self-sufficiency; to qualify materials and components under appropriate fusion conditions; and to develop a viable path to affordable lifecycle costs. As well as the STEP fusion facility, a skills centre and a business park are planned.
UK Fusion Energy Ltd (UKFE) – a subsidiary of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority which will build the UK’s prototype fusion power plant – has now awarded a GBP70 million (USD95 million) contract covering the period up to March 2029 to Tokamak Energy after it was identified as the leading UK-based manufacturing expert with the specialist capabilities to deliver the plant’s magnets.
Under the agreement, Tokamak Energy will act as systems partner delivering eight work packages for magnets, working closely with UKFE’s integrated programme team across key areas including magnets, tokamak systems and plasma integration. Delivery will be led through TE Magnetics, Tokamak Energy’s high temperature superconducting (HTS) technologies division, which brings dedicated design, manufacturing and test capability for advanced HTS magnet systems.
The contract also provides continued use of the company’s record-breaking ST40, a compact, high field spherical tokamak that recently delivered record levels of plasma current and energy performance.
“Confirming our position in the UK’s world-leading fusion programme is a proud day for Tokamak Energy,” said the company’s CEO Warrick Matthews. “HTS magnets are a transformative technology essential for delivering energy-producing fusion devices like STEP and unlocking new levels of performance in other sectors. Our expertise and experience include operating two of the most advanced fusion machines of today and will be invaluable as we scale up in partnership towards a low-carbon, secure energy future.”
Dan Bishop, Chief Commercial Officer at UKFE, said: “This partnership is about delivering together. Tokamak Energy brings the complementary skills, facilities and experience to move at pace. Our mission to deliver the STEP programme objectives is enhanced by this partnership.”
Information management system upgrade
Meanwhile, UKFE has awarded software development company Dassault Systèmes a GBP30 million contract to expand delivery and capability within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, a core part of STEP’s Plant Information Management System (PIMS).
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform will give STEP a single, trusted source of plant information, where technical teams and partners can design data, requirements, simulations and system models in one shared environment. This will improve engineering accuracy, reduce risk and support the smooth delivery of Britain’s first prototype fusion power plant.
The platform will also lay the foundations for the digital shadows and twins of the plant. This will enable engineers to model, test and optimise systems in a virtual environment both before physical constructions and throughout the plant’s lifecycle.
PIMS will also strengthen collaboration with partners across industry and academia, helping the UK build the capability required for future commercial fusion energy.
“This agreement marks an important milestone in the evolution of the information baseline for the STEP Prototype Fusion Power Plant at West Burton,” said Debbie Kempton, Director of Engineering Programme at UKFE. “PIMS, powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, will play a critical role in creating the blueprint for future fusion power plants while enabling fast, efficient and rigorous engineering delivery. The STEP Programme is pleased to continue its collaboration with Dassault Systèmes as we work together towards the future of fusion energy.”
Patricia Verrier, Head of Engineering – Computing, Modelling and Simulation at UK Fusion Energy Ltd, added: “The 3DEXPERIENCE platform will provide the digital capability needed to deliver STEP ambition, giving us the clarity, confidence and traceability required for a project of this scale and importance. PIMS will provide a unified environment where every decision, requirement, model and simulation is connected. It will transform the way STEP Fusion designs, integrates and governs the prototype power plant.”
