A proposal to update the project baseline was presented at the 34th ITER Council meeting, held in Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France, on June 19-20. This meeting, led by ITER Director General Pietro Barabaschi, highlighted the efforts made to position the project for success and its central role in global efforts to deploy a cleaner and more reliable energy source.
Updating the ITER project baseline
The Council received a proposal to update the baseline for the ITER project. This update seeks to prioritize the initiation of substantial research operations as quickly as possible.
To achieve this, the tokamak assembly phases will be consolidated, pre-assembly tests will be improved, and the risks involved in assembling and commissioning the machines will be reduced. This strategy will enable the project to advance through critical technical achievements relevant to the overall fusion innovation program.
The Council also reviewed progress in the construction, fabrication and assembly of the ITER project. Repairs to key components such as the vacuum vessel and heat shield sectors were highlighted. In addition, the completion of the manufacturing of all toroidal and poloidal field coils was announced. These achievements are critical to the continued progress of the project during the assembly phase.
New energy strategies and partnerships
In response to the Council’s request in November 2023, ITER has committed to private sector fusion initiatives. In May, a workshop was organized with the participation of more than 300 attendees, including new fusion companies, supplier companies, research institutes, national laboratories, universities, NGOs and government agencies.
This commitment reaffirmed the importance of ITER‘ s research program as an essential complement to private sector fusion R&D.
The Board appointed DeLeah Lockridge as Head of the Engineering Services Department, following the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the improvement of the structure of the Engineering Services Department and the preparation for the implementation of a fully matrix organization in 2025 were mentioned.
Council members reiterated the value of the mission and pledged to work together to facilitate its success. They also expressed their support for ITER’s commitment to integrate principles of diversity, equity and inclusion into its hiring actions and work culture. Despite the challenges, ITER members continue to fulfill their commitments to support the project.
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Source: ITER
Photo: Shutterstock
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