UK aims for nuclear power breakthrough with ‘world-leading’ reactor design

The United Kingdom is leading the world in nuclear fusion energy power plant design, according to a report by The Royal Society. The special edition report details the progress achieved by the spherical tokamak for energy production (STEP).

The STEP program aims to design and build the UK’s first prototype fusion energy plant.

The report presents the technology needed for the prototype and also presents the steps needed for integrating it with the power plant for producing energy from fusion.

One of the unique aspects of the program is that it also considers decommissioning as a part of the design.

UK’s STEP for nuclear fusion

STEP is scheduled to be built at the former coal-fired power station site of West Burton, Nottinghamshire. Ground and environment surveys are underway for the project and first operation is expected to begin in early 2040s.

The program aims for the formation of an integrated delivery organization based on a public-private partnership model that will deliver the prototype plant . This includes designing for cost, and at pace.

It is currently in the process of selecting potential major industry partners, one in engineering and one in construction, to work alongside STEP’s fusion partner, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).

STEP will aim to demonstrate net energy from fusion and pave the way for the commercialization of fusion energy.

Future goals

The program also aims to support the potential development of a fleet of future fusion power plants around the world and seeks to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of a new technology and emerging industry.

STEP will be led by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS), a wholly owned subsidiary of UKAEA, announced by the government in February 2023.

The first phase of the STEP program is underway and has three key objectives which are to establish a concept plant design; transition to a new operating model and secure a site for STEP development.

Paul Methven, CEO, UK Industrial Fusion Solutions, a subsidiary of UKAEA Group that will be responsible for the delivery of STEP, said, “STEP is a UK-led national endeavor, for the world. It’s about unlocking the potential of cutting-edge science and technology that could revolutionize humanity’s future and, for the UK, secure a leading position in a new strategic technology.”

“We don’t yet have all the answers, but we are a trailblazer in fusion power plant design, built on a solid foundation of decades of innovative and world-leading fusion research at the UKAEA.”

Methven went on to add that the current publication of peer-reviewed papers “is a snapshot in time,” as the design will continue to evolve with the identification of new challenges, learning, and development. He expressed faith that his “team has an impressive ability to find a way through the toughest problems.”

The 15 peer-reviewed papers in the STEP edition of Philosophical Transactions A cover themes from design, plasma, maintenance, magnets and re-mountable joints to net energy, breeding and fuel self-sufficiency.

The digital version of the same can be accessed from Royal Society Publishing.