The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has recently awarded contracts worth £7.4 million to five different organisations for the development of cutting-edge lithium technologies intended for use in a sustainable fusion energy fuel cycle.
Earlier this year, UKAEA unveiled the ‘Fusion Industry Programme,’ an initiative aimed at realising the potential of lithium in an economic, sustainable, and scalable fusion energy fuel-cycle. This programme attracted significant interest, leading to the development and evaluation of prototypes of lithium technology by several organisations. Four universities and one company have been awarded contracts ranging between £700,000 and £1.5 million for their outstanding proposals.
Tim Bestwick, the Chief Development Officer of UKAEA, has expressed enthusiasm for the continuous advancements in fusion energy, which has gained traction on the global stage. Recent commitments made at COP28 have highlighted the importance of developing fusion as a sustainable and low carbon energy source for future generations. The implementation of the Fusion Industry Programme is a pivotal step towards enhancing the UK’s industrial fusion capacity and preparing the country for the future global fusion power plant market.
The organisations that have successfully secured contracts have demonstrated exceptional lithium technology concepts and are now poised to move forward to the ‘proof of concept’ stage. The awarded contracts mark the latest phase of the Fusion Industry Programme, following previous contracts focused on digital engineering, fusion fuel requirements, materials and manufacturing, and heating and cooling technologies.
The following organisations have been awarded contracts under Cycle Three, Phase Two, of the Fusion Industry Programme:
– Bangor University – Lithium Isotope Microorganism Enrichment (LiME)
– Frazer-Nash – Lithium Enrichment Prototype Project (LEPDOS)
– University of Bristol – CENTRAL (centrifugation applied to lithium isotope enrichment)
– University of Bristol – LIBRA (Lithium Breeder Advancement through materials manufacture and testing)
– University of Edinburgh – Development of efficient continuous tritium capture and gaseous release through chemical control
– University of Manchester – Demonstration of a Viable Process for Li-6 Enrichment to Support Tritium Breeding
Each of these projects is aligned with the overarching goal of realising the potential of lithium in a sustainable and scalable fusion energy fuel cycle. The innovative initiatives proposed by these organisations showcase their depth of expertise and dedication to advancing fusion energy technology.
The significance of these contracts cannot be overstated. With continuous support and allocation of resources, the development of lithium technologies for fusion energy is expected to reach new heights, contributing to the realisation of sustainable and scalable fusion energy solutions. As the world seeks to transition towards cleaner and more efficient energy sources, the advancements in fusion energy technology are pivotal in shaping the future of energy production and consumption.
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