On 5 October 2021, Kyoto Fusioneering Ltd (KF), a private Japanese fusion reactor technology company, successfully launched its UK subsidiary (“KF UK”). KF was launched in 2019, with the mission to develop key technologies, principally those associated with powertrain engineering and the fusion fuel (tritium) cycle, which are essential for the realisation of fusion as a clean and abundant energy source for the future of humankind. KF UK, a wholly owned subsidiary of KF, Japan, has been founded with a focus on growing the company in the UK fusion ecosystem, in support of this mission.
The UK is now regarded as a global leader in the fusion industry. Stimulated by both public and private development in recent years, the UK Government has reoriented its fusion strategy. A new national fusion programme, STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), with the ambitious goal of proving commercial viability of fusion by 2040, is complemented by a growing cluster of private companies who are pursuing alternative routes to fusion. In relation to these developments, KF has recently been selected as a Tier 1 supplier on tritium engineering to UKAEA (United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority), the government body responsible for STEP. The company was also recently awarded a contract to supply hardware (gyrotrons) for MAST-U, an experimental fusion reactor based at Culham site. KF is also working with several private developers, including in the U.S., to support reactor engineering challenges for more novel routes to fusion energy.
KF is aiming to increase its presence in UK fusion development. By providing a direct interface with UK developers, in both the public and private sector, KF UK will provide a bridge for Japanese technologies and expertise into the UK. The company in fact has strong
links to the UK from its inception, as Dr Richard Pearson, a co-founder of KF, has now been appointed as the company’s UK director.
“this is an exciting step in our mission to accelerate the growth of a new industry and for our vision to realise fusion energy”, said Dr Pearson,adding, “the UK is fast becoming a global hub for fusion development. Kyoto Fusioneering is a unique addition to what is an already vibrant ecosystem here, with huge opportunity for the growth of our company and of the entire sector”.
This news comes in the week that the UK is the host nation for climate talks at COP26, held in Glasgow, where world leaders – including from Japan – are discussing solutions to the global energy challenge. Thomas Cross, Nuclear Counsellor at the British Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, has expressed support for Kyoto Fusioneering’s expansion into the UK, stating “I am pleased to see this collaboration and cooperation between the UK and Japan in the field of fusion energy. Fusion promises a very important role in a Net Zero future and collaboration between the UK and Japan will be mutually beneficial in harnessing this potential”.
The company will generate high-skilled jobs in the UK and, with a strong commitment to deep tech and hardware-based engineering, will seek to strengthen the country’s industrial capabilities. “The decision to expand our presence into the UK was a critical step in our business growth strategy”, said Mr Taka Nagao, Co-founder and CEO of Kyoto Fusioneering. “The UK is highly regarded and has diverse talent from well-known prestigious colleges and universities, as well as high-tech fusion companies. We are excited to continue to develop our advanced fusion engineering solutions for UK developers”.
About Kyoto Fusioneering Ltd.
Kyoto Fusioneering is a privately funded technology start-up founded in 2019, with its headquarters in Kyoto, Japan. The company is focused on developing advanced technologies for commercial fusion reactors, with specific focus on gyrotron systems, tritium fuel cycle technologies, and breeding blankets for tritium production and power generation. The company is developing innovative reactor technology solutions that are simultaneously high-performance and commercially viable. Supporting both public and private fusion developers around the world, the company will accelerate the realisation of fusion as the ultimate energy source for humankind.
● Awarded UKAEA Contract to Provide Dual Frequency Gyrotrons for MAST Upgrade
Spherical Tokamak Experiment.
● Awarded Contract as Tier 1 Supplier on UKAEA Tritium Engineering Framework for
the STEP Fuel Cycle
Media Contact (English and Japanese language)
media@kyotofusioneering.com
https://kyotofusioneering.com/kfwp/
