The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has installed a world-first tritium fuel cycle virtual control room at its Culham Campus, marking a significant stride in fusion energy research and training. This innovative simulator, developed in collaboration with Bilfinger UK, is set to train engineers in the handling and management of tritium, a critical component for sustainable fusion energy.
Stephen Wheeler, Executive Director for Fusion Technology and Tritium Fuel Cycle at UKAEA, underscored the importance of this development. “The UKAEA-Eni H3AT Tritium Loop Facility will be the largest and most advanced tritium fuel cycle in the world,” he said. “It also represents a significant advance in enhancing industry capability within the fusion sector. By creating this digital control room with the support of Bilfinger, we’re increasing technical capability and supporting industry to deliver the mechanisms that will serve fusion in the future.”
The virtual control room enables operators to undertake simulated training in a safe, controlled environment, allowing UKAEA to simulate potential changes to H3AT’s operating parameters and their possible knock-on effects. This not only increases the optimisation and efficiency of processes but also provides a platform for third parties to test their own tritium fuel cycle management systems in the future.
Wheeler further explained, “The development will provide an unprecedented opportunity to train the next generation of fusion engineers through cutting-edge virtual simulation technology. Using digital technology to train operators is business-as-usual across several divisions at UKAEA, so it is really pleasing that we can employ the same principles within the UKAEA-Eni H3AT Tritium Loop Facility.”
The implications of this development extend beyond training. Tritium fuel cycle training at Culham has the potential to dramatically alter the world’s future energy mix, paving the way for safe, clean, and virtually limitless energy. Darren Clement, Vice President EAP, Bilfinger Engineering and Maintenance UK, highlighted the broader impact. “This virtual control room will give UKAEA the ability to improve its processes further while also ensuring staff can learn the important skills needed to help make sure operations run smoothly and safely. At the same time, it can also help give important stakeholders a valuable insight into the ground-breaking work taking place in Culham.”
Bilfinger UK, with its extensive experience in delivering marquee projects across multiple sectors, played a pivotal role in this project. In addition to providing the control system, as a Tier One contractor, Bilfinger UK facilitated and coordinated the sub-contracting process, including to Schneider Electric, AVEVA, and Siemens. Clement added, “We’ve supported the nuclear industry for 60 years, helping pioneers and major operators safely deliver clean energy in abundance.”
UKAEA’s commitment to digital technologies is not new. The H3AT Tritium Loop Facility is just the latest example of UKAEA’s proven track record in using digital platforms to improve efficiency in time and cost during staff training and the development of new technologies and processes. The Remote Operations team at the Joint European Torus (JET) has been using such platforms for over 25 years, and they will now be applied to support the decommissioning of the fusion machine. Additionally, a full digital rehearsal of fuel debris retrieval at Fukushima Daiichi was conducted using the Next Generation Digital Mock-Up (NG-DMU), developed under the LongOps project, working with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, UK Research and Innovation, and the Tokyo Electric Power Company.
This development solidifies UKAEA’s reputation as a world leader in the use of digital platforms for training, research, and development, extending to tritium fuel cycle technologies. As the world looks towards a future powered by clean, sustainable energy, UKAEA’s innovative approach to training and research is set to play a crucial role in shaping the fusion energy sector.