Our technology
We have two world leading technologies that are central to the development of affordable, competitive, fusion energy.
Our compact spherical tokamak is the most advanced of its kind in the world. We are also a global leader in High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) magnets. HTS magnets have high-tech applications in many other industrial sectors.
It is widely accepted that the spherical tokamak offers the smallest and most cost-effective solution for fusion energy. This is our solution.
Our track record
Tokamak Energy has been pioneering fusion energy since 2009 and has a strong track record of building high performance prototypes and passing many key milestones on the path to delivering commercial fusion energy.
Our track record
Tokamak Energy has been pioneering fusion energy since 2009 and has a strong track record of building high performance prototypes and passing many key milestones on the path to delivering commercial fusion energy.
Spherical tokamaks
Scientists first realised the potential of tokamaks to achieve fusion conditions back in the 1960s. The tokamak is the most heavily researched and best understood path to fusion energy.
In the 1980s, one of our founders, Alan Sykes, who was working at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, did a theoretical study that revealed modifying the shape of the tokamak would have a large impact on performance.
By moving from a doughnut-shaped plasma to a cored apple-shaped plasma, the plasma is contained more efficiently.
Combining the increased efficiency of the spherical tokamak with the improved magnetic confinement made possible by high-field HTS magnet technology, provides the most viable route to cost-effective fusion energy in compact machines.
HTS magnet technology
Magnetic fields are a vital component of tokamaks as they trap the electrically-charged plasma particles and keep the contained fusion fuels hot.
High temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets are made from Rare Earth Barium Copper Oxide (REBCO) and manufactured in narrow tapes that are less than 0.1mm thick. When wound into coils, they can create much higher magnetic fields than conventional superconductor magnets, while taking up far less space.
The ‘high’ temperatures at which HTS materials operate is still pretty cold (between -250 and -200 degrees Celsius) but there are still considerable energy – and cost – savings to be had over cooling them to -269 degrees Celsius.
HTS magnet technology
Magnetic fields are a vital component of tokamaks as they trap the electrically-charged plasma particles and keep the contained fusion fuels hot.
High temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets are made from Rare Earth Barium Copper Oxide (REBCO) and manufactured in narrow tapes that are less than 0.1mm thick. When wound into coils, they can create much higher magnetic fields than conventional superconductor magnets, while taking up far less space.
The ‘high’ temperatures at which HTS materials operate is still pretty cold (between -250 and -200 degrees Celsius) but there are still considerable energy – and cost – savings to be had over cooling them to -269 degrees Celsius.
Future roadmap
Our aim is to have commercial fusion power plants deployed in the 2030s.
We have completed design work on our next advanced prototype fusion device, which has the potential to de-risk and accelerate the development of multiple technologies required for the delivery of sustainable fusion energy.
This device, scheduled for build completion in the late 2020s, will also demonstrate multiple advanced technologies required for fusion energy and inform the design of a fusion pilot plant. The fusion pilot plant will demonstrate the capability of delivering electricity into the grid in the 2030s, paving the way for globally deployable 500-megawatt commercial plants.