ITER – Conquering the Challenges of Fusion Energy

This talk will explore the progress and challenges in the groundbreaking ITER project, a global effort to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a sustainable energy source. ITER is one of the most complex engineering projects ever undertaken, requiring unprecedented international collaboration and precision engineering.

The first part of the presentation will introduce the basic principles of fusion energy, explaining how it promises to provide virtually limitless, clean energy by replicating the processes that power the sun. A brief overview of the status of ITER construction will be given and recent design modifications, aimed at achieving a Q of 10 — the tenfold return of thermal energy produced from fusion compared to the heating input to the plasma.

In the second half, the focus will shift to presenting the challenges posed to components facing the plasma. We will explore the stringent material and design tolerances required to withstand extreme conditions. A significant portion of this discussion will focus on the manufacturing of critical components in the divertor, one of the most intensely exposed regions of the machine. Topics will include design challenges, material selection, and non-destructive examination techniques used to ensure structural integrity of components.

The talk will conclude with an updated timeline for achieving first plasma in ITER, the road to deuterium-tritium fusion.