Kyoto Fusioneering Awarded Contract as Tier 1 Supplier on UKAEA Tritium Engineering Framework for the STEP Fuel Cycle
Kyoto Fusioneering Ltd – a fusion reactor technology company, based in Kyoto, Japan – has been awarded a contract to provide services to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) under its new Tritium Engineering Framework. The contract, which falls under the UK Government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), is focused on tritium engineering aspects for the development of STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production). STEP is an ambitious programme to design and construct a prototype fusion energy plant, targeting operations around 2040. Kyoto Fusioneering will provide support on tritium engineering for the development of STEP’s conceptual design, which is due to be completed by 2024.
Kyoto Fusioneering has specialist knowledge and expertise in tritium engineering, including in design, modelling, experimental testing, and systems integration of tritium technologies. Satoshi Konishi, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Kyoto Fusioneering and Professor of advanced atomic energy at Kyoto University, said: “fusion energy has the unique potential to provide humanity with a clean energy future. Several of the challenges in the way of realizing a viable fusion power plant are related to tritium engineering, and that’s exactly what we [Kyoto Fusioneering] are focused on”. Under the Tritium Engineering Framework, Kyoto Fusioneering will provide support in the following product areas:
● Tritium fuel cycle (including exhaust processing, isotope separation and detritiation)
● In-vessel components (including tritium breeding blanket and tritiated waste management)
● Power infrastructure (including power conversion and auxiliary systems)
● Materials Capability (including in-vessel materials selection)
● Lifecycle (including tritium safety and regulation)
Taka Nagao, Co-founder and CEO of Kyoto Fusioneering, said: “we are proud to provide support to the UK in its ambitious mission to deliver STEP.” He added: “A defining feature of Kyoto Fusioneering is our focus on projects that aim to accelerate the commercialisation of fusion energy. In supporting the STEP programme, contributing world-leading tritium expertise and technology from Japan to the UK, this project will demonstrate Kyoto Fusioneering’s commitment to solving key challenges that will unlock clean and plentiful energy for the world.”
About UKAEA
UKAEA is a non-departmental public body (NDPB), under the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). UKAEA’s principal mission is to conduct research into fusion energy and related technologies, with the aim of positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy. The UK’s current fusion programme is focused on the MAST Upgrade (Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak) experiment and the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme to design and construct a prototype fusion energy plant, which is targeting operations around 2040. It also hosts the world’s largest fusion research facility, JET (Joint European Torus), which it operates for European scientists under a contract with the European Commission.
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.
Media Contact (English and Japanese language)
media@kyotofusioneering.com
https://kyotofusioneering.com/kfwp/
