AtkinsRéalis has been selected to spearhead the pre-concept design of a groundbreaking fusion pilot plant in Tennessee for Type One Energy’s FusionDirect initiative.
- This pilot plant will harness stellarator technology, aiming to produce clean, safe, and affordable energy through fusion.
- AtkinsRéalis will integrate cutting-edge fusion innovations with established project delivery solutions to optimise costs and minimise risks.
- The Bull Run Fossil Plant site was chosen earlier this year for Infinity One, a device central to the fusion pilot plant’s development.
- The collaboration underscores a strategic partnership, merging AtkinsRéalis’ global fusion expertise with Type One Energy’s technological prowess.
AtkinsRéalis, a leader in engineering and project management, has been entrusted by Type One Energy to develop a pre-concept design for a forward-thinking fusion pilot plant in Tennessee. This plant, part of the FusionDirect programme, aims to leverage stellarator technology to demonstrate its potential in generating clean and sustainable power from fusion energy. The selection of AtkinsRéalis underscores their competence in multi-disciplinary engineering services and their role in supporting Type One Energy’s ambitious vision.
The fusion pilot plant will employ stellarator technology, a remarkable innovation involving advanced superconducting magnets designed to control plasma at temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius. This technology enables a continuous fusion reaction, promising an environmentally responsible energy source. AtkinsRéalis’ involvement in the design and pre-conceptual layout of the facility aims to integrate these cutting-edge innovations with traditional project management approaches, focusing on cost optimisation and risk de-escalation.
Earlier this year, the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Bull Run Fossil Plant in Clinton, Tennessee, was chosen as the site for a prototype device, Infinity One, which will test and validate critical design elements for incorporation into the pilot plant. Both Infinity One and the fusion pilot plant are poised to showcase the potential of stellarator technology in transforming the energy landscape.
AtkinsRéalis’ collaboration with the UK Atomic Energy Authority earlier this year further enhances their credentials in the fusion energy domain. This project entailed developing detailed designs for the world’s first facility dedicated to exploring tritium as a viable fusion fuel. Such collaborations highlight AtkinsRéalis’ strategic positioning in the burgeoning field of fusion energy technology.
Statements from key stakeholders such as Joe St. Julian, President of AtkinsRéalis Nuclear, and Jason Dreisbach, Director of Advanced Energy Technologies, emphasise the transformative potential of this collaboration. They acknowledge the strategic partnership with Type One Energy as a significant step towards the commercialisation of fusion energy. Meanwhile, Gregg Schneider from Type One Energy highlights the importance of long-term relationships in achieving the integration of fusion technology into sustainable energy solutions.
This collaboration marks a pivotal step forward in the fusion energy sector, promising a sustainable energy future.
