JET Decommissioning and Repurposing

Repurposing and decommissioning the Joint European Torus (JET).

Repurposing and decommissioning the Joint European Torus (JET) will provide invaluable insight into making future fusion energy machines more sustainable and cost-effective.

The Joint European Torus (JET) with superimposed plasma.
The Joint European Torus (JET) with superimposed plasma.

JET’s history began more than 50 years ago, with an extensive design and planning process paving the way for four decades of groundbreaking and world-changing research.

Repurposing and decommissioning (JDR) represents the next stage of JET’s life cycle, and the projects which will be undertaken until c.2040 will provide a foundation for significant developments within the planning and engineering of fusion machines and power plants, such as ITER, STEP and DEMO.

JDR encompasses cutting edge scientific research into detritiation and characterisation, developing technologies and techniques for use within remote handling environments, and ground-breaking engineering.

All of which will contribute to successfully delivering the programme and demonstrating that fusion machines can be sustainable from both an environmental and financial perspective.

JDR’s first two years will be focused on research and development, which will inform the next stages of the programme’s delivery.

To find out more, contact us.

A controller in the remote handling control room.
The Remote Handling Control Room and systems have received a comprehensive upgrade.
A scientist doing an experiment in a laboratory.
Research into detritiation will inform waste processing.
A scientist with protective clothing works on a sample.
An operator measuring external radiation from a JET tile to check for activation.
People in a meeting room watch a presentation.
Workshops have been held with experienced leaders from across UKAEA.

Current projects

Characterisation

Planning characterisation work and gathering initial samples from active areas.

Repurposing

Repurposing essential assets for EUROfusion, repurposing opportunities, knowledge capture.

Sample Retrieval

Ensuring facilities are ready for sample retrieval, retrieving vessel samples, processing.

Waste

Size reduction and waste processing studies.

Detritiation

Detritiation experiments, recipes, value-for-money report.

Auxiliary Buildings De-plant and Demolition

Preparation for release of buildings and space for alternative use within Campus masterplan.

Enabling and Operations Support

Preparation of tokamak and conventional de-plant laydown areas, large item size reduction studies.

J1 Active Systems De-plant

Feasibility and planning studies. Purges and isolations. Enabling works for de-plant.

J1 Conventional De-plant

Feasibility and planning studies. Purges and isolations.

J1 Tokamak Ex-Vessel Decommissioning

Feasibility studies for ex-vessel dismantling, purges and isolations.

J1 Tokamak In-Vessel Decommissioning

Full preparation for in-vessel work to begin in tranche 2.