A touching moment warmed the hearts of many. A resounding ovation greeted the inventor of the Joint European Torus (JET) at Wednesday’s JET Celebration Day event at Culham Campus.
JET is a world famous fusion energy experimental facility. Dignitaries, scientists, engineers, and other individuals who had worked at JET through the ages attended the event. It was dedicated to its success and the people behind it.
Paul-Henri Rebut is the inventor and designer of the iconic JET. He was recognised for his exceptional contributions to the field of fusion energy.
The JET Celebration Day event was a befitting end to the scientific operations of this pioneering machine.
We celebrated the achievements, and even more importantly, celebrated the people,
– Professor Sir Ian Chapman, CEO of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.
JET has garnered international acclaim for its promise in addressing the world’s energy and climate challenges. JET has advanced much of today’s fusion’s physics and engineering.
The event saw speeches from the UK’s Minister for Nuclear and Renewables, Andrew Bowie, MP and the European Commission’s Head of Unit, Euratom, Dr Elena Righi. JET alumni also delivered speeches, including Barry Green, Michel Huguet, Fernanda Rimini, Damian King, Peter Lomas and Ian Chapman.
Attendees took a trip down memory lane. There was a photography exhibition, mini-theatre show, tours to the torus hall, remote handling control room and JET’s main control room.
Thank you to a lot of you to show what we can do with such a machine like JET
Mr Henri-Rebut during his impromptu speech.
JET concluded its scientific operations at the end of December 2023 after 40 years. Until then, it was the largest operational and only tokamak in the world to use deuterium and tritium fuel.
JET has been instrumental in advancing fusion energy for over four decades. It symbolises international scientific collaboration, engineering excellence, and the commitment to harness the power of fusion energy – the same reactions that fuel the Sun and stars.
The achievements at JET include major scientific milestones and setting of energy records. This underscores the facility’s enduring legacy in the evolution of fusion technology.
Its contributions to fusion science and engineering have played a crucial role in accelerating the development of fusion energy. This promises to be a safe, low carbon and sustainable part of the world’s future energy supply.