Oxford’s Tokamak Energy achieves first plasma with upgraded fusion device
Oxford-based Tokamak Energy has achieved its first plasma with its newly upgraded ST40 fusion energy device, after it recently returned to operations.
Earlier this year, Tokamak’s ST40 reached a plasma temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius, six times hotter than the sun's core and the required threshold for commercial fusion energy – a world first for a privately-funded spherical tokamak.
Following a rapid upgrade programme, which included the installation of a new Thomson scattering high-powered laser system to give greater insights into plasma behaviour by measuring both temperature and density at many points in the plasma, the device has now returned to operation.
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The data collected by these will be incorporated in the company’s recently announced ST80-HTS advanced prototype fusion device and the fusion pilot plant, ST-E1.
Chris Kelsall, Tokamak Energy CEO, said: “We’re in a race against time to phase out fossil fuels and make fusion energy a globally available solution for the world’s energy needs.
“Our upgraded ST40 with its new high-powered laser measurement system will help us move forward on our mission to achieve clean, secure, low cost and globally deployable commercial fusion energy. These tests will also develop critical know-how on operating future fusion power plants.”
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Featured image credit: Tokamak Energy
