Switch it on!

A short distance to the southwest of the construction projects on the ITER platform, the RTE (Réseau de Transport d'Electricité) switchyard, called Prionnet, is coming out of the ground at high speed. Here, electricity from the French high voltage lines will be converted to lower voltage and distributed to the ITER scientific facilities.

 

The four-hectare switchyard is composed of seven 400 kV bays equipped with double busbars that will supply the power to the steady state and pulsed power networks.

 

At the end of the month, a pylon weighing 120 tonnes and standing approximately 43 metres tall will be erected between the temporary ITER Headquarters building and the construction platform to carry the two high-voltage lines coming from the French "Tavel-Boutre" line.

 

Tools and heavy equipment are stored in a dedicated area in the RTE switchyard, including some 12 km of copper cable that will be buried in the soil to earth the power installations above and ensure personal safety.