In a significant milestone, the Joint European Torus (JET) facility in Culham, Oxfordshire, has embarked on the decommissioning phase after four decades of groundbreaking operation as a ‘world-leading’ nuclear fusion reactor. The experiments at JET concluded in December, marking the end of an era in fusion research.

The reactor's swan song was remarkable, setting a record for energy production in its final test. Now, as the decommissioning process unfolds, it is estimated to take approximately 12 years to repurpose the reactor, with a keen focus on salvaging and reusing as much of the machine as possible.

Nuclear fusion, the underlying principle behind JET's operation, involves heating and forcing tiny particles together to create a heavier one, releasing valuable energy in the process.

Andrew Bowie, Minister for Nuclear and Renewables, said the work at Culham a had been "transformational", adding the UK had been "world-leading the research into fusion". He adds:

Just because JET is coming to the end of its life today, doesn't mean that the work here is going to stop. This is an internationally recognised fusion hub of excellence.

Initially constructed in the late 1970s with an expected operational span of a decade, JET's repeated successes led to extensions, and it became a cornerstone for advancing fusion understanding. While based in the UK, the facility was primarily funded by the EU nuclear research program Euratom and operated by the UK Atomic Energy Agency.

Ian Chapman, the Chief Executive of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, reflected on JET's legacy, emphasising the brilliance and ingenuity of the people involved in the project. He stated, "The legacy is the people, you know, incredibly brilliant minds, the ingenuity of the people I work with, it's such a joy to work with them."

Looking ahead, the government envisions building the world's first fusion power plant in Nottinghamshire, set to commence operations in the 2040s. The ambitious Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) project will be spearheaded by the newly established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions. As JET bids farewell, the journey toward sustainable fusion energy continues with renewed determination and innovation.

Source: www.bbc.com “Nuclear fusion reactor decommissioning begins after 40 years” UK News

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-68424271.amp