UK leading the world in fusion power plant designs
Royal Society publishes peer-reviewed papers demonstrating technical progress to deliver STEP, the UK’s first prototype fusion energy power plant.
- Royal Society publishes 15 peer-reviewed papers in themed edition of Philosophical Transactions A, demonstrating technical progress to deliver STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) – the UK’s first prototype fusion energy power plant.
- STEP’s technical progress will livestream to mark the Royal Society publication, Thursday 5 September, 13.00 – 16.00 (BST) on the @STEPtoFusion YouTube channel.
The UK is leading the way in fusion energy power plant design as published in a recent special Royal Society edition. The edition details the technical progress of STEP, a pioneering programme to design and build the UK’s first prototype fusion plant.
This is the first complete snapshot of the design for publication. It outlines the necessary technologies for a first-of-a-kind prototype and their integration into a power plant to produce electricity from fusion.
STEP (‘Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production’) aims to pave the way for the commercial viability of fusion. It seeks to demonstrate net energy, fuel self-sufficiency and a viable route to plant maintenance. By doing so, it stimulates the development of a new industry and positions the UK at the forefront commercially.
The programme takes a holistic approach to delivering a fully operational prototype plant. This also considers decommissioning as part of the design.
A tokamak approach was chosen as it is the most advanced way of making fusion happen. A spherical tokamak is more compact than traditional tokamaks. It aims to minimise cost while maximising energy output, potentially making it easier to scale.
STEP will be built at the former coal-fired power station site of West Burton, Nottinghamshire. Characterisation works surveying ground and environment are well underway. First operations will be in the early 2040s.
Paul Methven is CEO, UK Industrial Fusion Solutions, a subsidiary of UKAEA Group responsible for the delivery of STEP. He said:
STEP is a UK-led national endeavour, for the world. It’s about unlocking the potential of cutting-edge science and technology that could revolutionise humanity’s future and, for the UK, secure a leading position in a new strategic technology. We don’t yet have all the answers, but we are a trailblazer in fusion power plant design, built on a solid foundation of decades of innovative and world-leading fusion research at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).
This Royal Society publication is a snapshot in time – the design will continue to evolve as we identify new challenges, learn and develop – and already the team has an impressive ability to find a way through the toughest problems.
One key area that makes STEP different to other fusion programmes is the formation of an integrated delivery organisation. This is based on a public-private partnership model that will deliver the prototype plant. This includes designing for cost, and at pace.
Additionally, the STEP programme is currently selecting potential major industry partners, one in engineering and one in construction. They will work alongside STEP’s fusion partner, UKAEA.
The STEP edition of Philosophical Transactions A has 15 peer-reviewed papers. They cover themes from design, plasma, maintenance, magnets and re-mountable joints to net energy, breeding and fuel self-sufficiency.
Read the themed Royal Society edition of Philosophical Transactions A: “The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP): Pioneering Fusion Powerplant Design” from Royal Society Publishing.