Many causes for celebration
During the fifth annual ITER Awards ceremony in December, prizes went to the teams with a strong track record of delivering in 2024.
The ITER "family" gathered on Wednesday 11 December for a festive few hours and looked back on a year defined by challenge and hard work. "In every culture, the end of a year is a time of transition, a change of season and a cause for reflection," said the host for the evening, ITER Director-General Pietro Barabaschi. "Tonight we are celebrating two years of a profound, extended transition."
The Director-General took time to extend thanks for the many individual efforts that may go unnoticed, but that have led over time to changes for the better. He also spoke of team efforts that have resulted in a marked change of mood and improved performance overall—noting, in particular, that the execution of the project's commitments budget this year will come in at or around 100% for the first time. He extended special recognition for project contributors responsible for industrial safety, the relationship with the French nuclear regulator, quality, human resources, communication, assembly, and the project's updated 2024 baseline proposal—while adding that not every group could be cited.
As every year, the evening was organized around the culture of one of the ITER Members. The evening started with a special guest, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Seoung-hyun Moon, who invited attendees to enjoy Korea's "most well-known cultural exports—traditional dance, K-pop and Korean food."
Then it was time to announce the annual ITER Award winners. For four categories, awards were determined according to a vote by staff; for a fifth, the Director-General makes the annual choice to recognize a fifth team for special recognition.
2024 results
The Component Delivery Team Award went to the joint team responsible for vacuum vessel and thermal shield delivery and repair (ITER Organization/Fusion for Energy (Europe)/ITER Korea/ITER India) for the recent delivery of the first European sector and the final Korean sector, as well as the to-specification repairs of the ITER vacuum vessel and thermal shield.
The Installation/Assembly/Construction Team Award went to the Sector Module Assembly Project/Machine Assembly Program team (ITER Organization staff plus the CNPE Consortium, Construction Management-as-Agent and other contractors) for restarting the assembly process of the ITER vacuum vessel in 2024, beginning with the sub-assembly process on large tools in the ITER Assembly Hall.
The Best Support of the ITER Project Award went to the baseline development team for the preparation of the baseline proposal and documentation, the presentation of the proposal to the ITER Council and other governing bodies, and achieving the ITER Council's endorsement of the "overall approach."
The Special Contribution Team Award went to all interim staff for "constant and reliable support across all ITER Organization functions."
The Director's Choice Award this year went to the ITER procurement team in charge of managing the main construction/assembly contracts.
The ITER Director-General concluded the first half of the evening—before guests were invited for dinner and dancing—with a round of thanks for ITER staff, contractors, ITER Project Associates and interim staff. "I sense a change in mood. Much remains to be done but we have many causes for celebration this evening. Our track record gives us substantial reason for hope and optimism." He also extended his gratitude for the family and friends that support ITER personnel every day. "We could not do this without you!"
