ITER’s Revised Timeline: Initial Operations Targeted for 2035

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) has unveiled a revised project plan, prioritizing a scientifically and technically sound initial phase of operations.

This phase will encompass deuterium-deuterium fusion operation in 2035, followed by full magnetic energy and plasma current operation.

Realistic Timeline

Director General Pietro Barabaschi, who assumed his role two years ago, has spearheaded the development of this “realistic” project timeline. The previous baseline, established in 2016, aimed for first plasma in 2025 at the monumental international collaboration taking shape in southern France.

At the 34th ITER Council meeting, presentations highlighted construction progress and proposed updates to the project baseline.

These updates aim to expedite the commencement of substantial research operations by consolidating tokamak assembly stages, enhancing pre-assembly testing, and mitigating machine assembly and commissioning risks.

The project will continuously advance through critical technical milestones throughout this assembly phase, contributing to the global fusion innovation program.

Revised Timeline Details

Following the ITER Council meeting, a statement was issued indicating that the director general would provide further details in July regarding the updated proposal.

This proposal is expected to lead to a scientifically and technically robust initial phase of operations, including deuterium-deuterium fusion operation in 2035, followed by full magnetic energy and plasma current operation.

Achieving these objectives will pave the way for progression to full fusion power in the deuterium-tritium phase. The proposed baseline will undergo further evaluation and validation, considering increased costs and schedule implications resulting from this new approach.

Recommendations will be presented to the ITER Council for consideration.

Comparison with Previous Timeline

The 2016 baseline had targeted the start of deuterium-tritium operation for 2035. While the new baseline entails a significant delay compared to the previous one, the reform of the program renders direct comparison impossible, according to ITER.

The 2016 baseline envisioned first plasma as a brief low-energy machine test at 100 kiloamperes, followed by substantial assembly and incremental operation.

In contrast, the new baseline’s start of research operation targets operation at 15 megaamperes, necessitating the installation of components that would not have been required for that stage in the previous baseline.

ITER: A Global Fusion Endeavor

ITER is a major international collaboration aimed at constructing a tokamak fusion device to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale, carbon-free energy source.

ITER’s goal is to operate at 500 MW (for at least 400 seconds continuously) with 50 MW of plasma heating power input. An additional 300 MW of electricity input may be required during operation.

Global Collaboration

Thirty-three nations are collaborating to build ITER. The European Union contributes almost half of the construction costs, while the remaining six members (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and the USA) share the rest equally.

Construction commenced in 2010. ITER Council members reaffirmed their support for the project, emphasizing the continued relevance of ITER’s fusion operations for global fusion research and development, as well as national fusion programs.

Reasons for Delays in ITER Project

Challenges Faced

The ITER project has encountered several delays due to a combination of factors. General first-of-a-kind issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, problems with welding joints in the vacuum vessel sector, and corrosion-induced cracks in thermal shield piping have all contributed to the setbacks.

Director General Barabaschi acknowledged in October 2023 that even without these issues, the 2025 first plasma deadline would not have been met.

Progress and Commitment

Despite the challenges, the council noted progress in repairs and the completion of manufacturing for all toroidal field coils, considered one of the most technically demanding components.

Manufacturing of all poloidal field coils has also been finalized. These achievements represent critical milestones the project will achieve throughout the assembly phase.

Member Support

The ITER statement emphasized that council members reiterated the significance of ITER’s mission and resolved to collaborate on finding solutions to ensure its success.

While acknowledging ongoing challenges, members expressed appreciation for the continued fulfillment of in-kind and in-cash commitments to support the project’s success.