Laskut/Finland - Fusion energy research is about to enter a new phase with the global ITER project - the goal is to prove that fusion is a technically and economically viable energy source. ITER is one of humankind’s most challenging energy projects, and Finnish research and industry are closely involved. Developing the maintenance systems for the most critical components of the fusion plant to be built in France is the responsibility of VTT and Tampere University of Technology (TUT).

“Thus far, we have been able to use a transport robot to move a ten-tonne reactor element (cassette) along a desired route at an accuracy of around +/- 1 millimetre, and position the cassette in the reactor at a similar level of accuracy. Mechanical flexing in various situations can be compensated so well by the controls that a +/- 1 millimetre accuracy is achievable. The flexing can also be displayed to the operator using a virtual model that matches reality”, says the director of the DTP2 (Divertor Test Platform) project, Acting Research Professor Mikko Siuko from VTT:

“Testing the maintenance work is still in its early stages, and many demanding work phases remain to be tested. The operation is currently being tested on so-called basic cases, after which various possible error situations that could occur in reality will be introduced in stages. The experience gained from the system developed thus far allows us to continue on our chosen path with confidence”, says Siuko.

In the future, the test platform will be expanded, and more work phases and equipment will be included. The system will be expanded with, for example, a transport robot travelling on a circular track inside the reactor. The expansion also allows the addition of various manipulation and connection tasks, and pipe and structural welding.

A massive European testing and development environment for remote maintenance systems was commissioned at Tampere in January 2009. In cooperation with other European companies and research institutes, e equipment, methodology, software and all segments of digital mechanical engineering are developed in the DTP2 research environment for ITER remote operation needs over coming decades. The purpose of the Remote Operation and Virtual Reality Centre (ROViR) is rapidly to make available the results of top research in the ITER energy project for the use of other industry, in order to improve productivity and competitiveness.

Finnish fusion research is integrated into the EU’s fusion research programme through a Contract of Association between Tekes and Euratom. The overall extent of fusion research funded by Tekes is currently around EUR 5 million per year, of which Tekes funds around EUR 2 million. Finland has participated in the EU fusion research cooperation from the start in nationally selected research areas, amassing special know-how for both research and the industry.

The construction of the global ITER fusion reactor has been estimated to cost about EUR fifteen billion over the period 2007-2020. The site preparations for the 500 MW test reactor have been completed, and excavations have started at Caradache, Southern France. The procurement arrangements for the most important components (the magnets and the vacuum chamber) architect-engineering contract for buildings have been are signed.

More information can be found at vtt.fi.

Quelle: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

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