Aiming for three times as fast

At the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin (7-9 November 2024), global experts gathered to discuss how innovation intersects with societal needs, and how resilient, sustainable systems can be created to bridge science with real-world applications. The ITER Project at the Summit by its Director-General, Pietro Barabaschi, who took part in a plenary table on "Fusion Technology:  Energy for a Sustainable Future." Other participants were moderator Norbert Holtkamp, former ITER Principal Deputy Director-General (2006-2010), Kimberly Budil, Director of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; and Constantin Häfner, Managing Director at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology.

A recording of the plenary table is available at this link (beginning at 2:30:00).

Fourteen years after the start of ITER project construction, the buildings of the scientific installation are nearly complete—except for the Hot Cell Facility, whose construction is not yet underway. Equipment installation is well advanced and a number of plants are operational. ITER's drone videographer spent a week on site in October 2024, filming some of the most unique and unexpected areas. The result? A series of new aerial photos available for download from the ITER image galleries.

See the latest aerial photos here.

At least once a year, the ITER worksite is surveyed by drone from every possible angle—from the widest frame (a kilometre above the platform) to the narrowest (in and out of components staged for assembly). The results of the latest campaign in October 2024 can be viewed in the form of a five-minute video that shows the progress on site since the last time the ITER Organization published a drone video, one year ago. As the drone takes you in and around the main buildings of the ITER scientific installation you'll see the complexity of the ITER industrial plants, ongoing repairs to critical machine elements, components arriving from overseas, and the day-to-day reality for the thousands of workers involved in building ITER.

See the latest video on the ITER YouTube channel or on the website's video page here (select "Drone videos" in the dropdown list).

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has just published Fusion Key Elements, a document that aims to build a common understanding of the pathway from research, development and demonstration to the commercialization of fusion energy and to chart a collaborative framework that helps to sustain and move forward fusion energy initiatives globally. The new publication, launched on 6 November 2024 at the inaugural ministerial meeting of the World Fusion Energy Group in Rome, is intended for research scientists and engineers engaged in fusion research and development, regulators, entrepreneurs or stakeholders involved in the development of fusion technology, and policymakers.

"In such a rapidly evolving sector, cultivating a common understanding of key considerations surrounding fusion energy is essential. This understanding encompasses everything from research and development to deployment and commercialization, forming the foundation for navigating the complexities and opportunities of the fusion energy landscape. This publication provides a comprehensive overview of the six key elements necessary for a shared vision in fusion energy development, thereby facilitating a unified approach to advancing fusion as a cornerstone of future energy solutions."

Consult or download Fusion Key Elements at this address. Also available in French here.