Tokamak Energy offers first look at planned fusion power plant

Oxford’s Tokamak Energy has released concept images for its new commercial fusion power plant, with capacity to power 50,000 homes once it arrives in the 2030s.

The ST-E1 fusion pilot plant could pave the way for the deployment of 500-megawatt commercial plants across the world, as Tokamak Energy aims to demonstrate a capability to deliver electricity to the grid safely and cleanly.

Fusion differs from fission, not only in that it involves the combination of lighter atoms rather than the splitting of heavier ones, but also because it is easy to stop at any point and does not produce long-lived nuclear waste.

And it is immensely powerful – one kilogram of fusion fuel can release the same amount of energy as burning around 10 million kilograms of coal.

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Warrick Matthews, Managing Director at Tokamak Energy, said: “Fusion energy from power plants like this will be zero carbon, safe, secure, extremely efficient, and run on limitless fuel from sea water. Fusion is the ultimate energy source – no emissions and you can put a plant where you need it.

“Renewables are fantastic and absolutely vital, however we also need dependable, reliable power you can switch on around the clock – when the sun isn’t shining or wind isn’t blowing – without high storage costs. Fusion fills that important gap as part of a sustainable net zero future.”

Fusion power plants can work with traditional turbines to produce electricity and heat for use in industry, from metalworks to water desalination and hydrogen production. They could also be built next to large population centres, since plants tend to occupy a small area of land.

Tokamak Energy derives its name from a device which confines plasma into a torus or doughnut shape. The company’s compact spherical tokamaks, which are visually closer to apple cores than doughnuts, represent one of many different approaches to fusion.

Warrick added: “Our spherical tokamak design is more efficient than the traditional shape, with lower capital investment, operating costs and a smaller footprint.

“It has to be a globally deployable solution because the technologies and innovations available today are clearly not enough. Fusion power plants will have that unique ability to support and sustain a long-term, permanent transition from fossil fuels by ensuring future clean energy grids are resilient, flexible and safe for our communities.”

The ST-E1 pilot plant will follow on from the success of Tokamak Energy’s ST40 model, which in 2021 achieved a fusion threshold plasma temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius. In the meantime, the company is developing the ST80-HTS for exhibition at the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s Culham Campus in 2026.

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