The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and global energy technology company Eni, have launched a new joint venture aimed at accelerating the development of commercial fusion energy.
The company, called Rh3ova, will provide consultancy and operational services to the growing fusion sector, focusing on one of the industry’s biggest challenges – managing the fuel needed to power future fusion plants.
Fusion energy is widely seen as a potential source of low-carbon electricity, capable of producing large amounts of power without the greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil fuels. It uses deuterium and tritium, two forms of hydrogen, as fuel.
While deuterium can be extracted from seawater, tritium is extremely rare, making efficient fuel management essential if fusion is to become commercially viable.
Stephen Wheeler, Executive Director of Tritium Fuel Cycle at UKAEA, said: “Having operated the Joint European Torus, which was the world’s most powerful deuterium-tritium fusion machine for more than 40 years, and with 30 years’ experience of tritium operations, the UK is a leader in tritium fuel cycle technology.
“For fusion to be realised as a commercially viable source of energy, however, this expertise must be scaled beyond the lab.”
Rh3ova will combine UKAEA’s scientific expertise with Eni’s industrial capabilities to develop technologies and services supporting future fusion power stations.
Lorenzo Fiorillo, Director Technology, R&D & Digital of Eni, said: “Fusion energy has the potential to redefine the global energy landscape, and at Eni we are committed on multiple fronts to turning this potential into tangible industrial progress.”
The venture also builds on the partners’ work on the UKAEA-Eni H3AT Tritium Loop Facility and supports the UK’s wider ambition to develop fusion as part of a secure, low-carbon energy system.
If successful, fusion could play a significant role in reducing emissions while providing reliable and sustainable electricity for future generations.
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