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EU delegation

"What we see is very comforting"

31 Jan 2022

The European Union plays a major role in ITER. But for many in the European Parliament, the project is still an abstraction—something very large and utterly complex, founded on an arcane physics principle that offers a promise (unlimited, clean and safe energy) that seems too good to be true. Christophe Grudler, a French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) is among those who have "always believed in hydrogen fusion." Recently, he established what he calls "an informal inter-group" that brings together close to one hundred MEPs convinced that "nuclear power is a real opportunity for Europe" and determined to explore and assess its future. On Monday 31 January, Grudler led a delegation of 11 of his colleagues, hailing from nine different countries and representing four different political groups, on an in-depth visit of the ITER worksite.

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The traditional group photo acquires a new dimension in the setting of the ITER Assembly Hall ...

The group was welcomed at ITER Headquarters by Bernard Bigot, the Director-General of the ITER Organization, and by Massimo Garribba, who was present "wearing two hats"—that of Head of the ITER Council for a two-year mandate and that of Deputy Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General Energy.

 

After presentations on ITER history, progress and challenges by Bernard Bigot and Johannes Schwemmer, the Director of the European Domestic Agency Fusion for Energy, the delegation headed to the on-site coil winding facility where Europe manufactures the largest superconducting coils ever designed. Taking in the 250-metre-long facility, the workstations in succession, and the two 24-metre-in-diameter ring magnet coils that are currently going through the multi-step fabrication process, the MEPs had a first indication of the spectacular nature of the project.

 

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... and there's always something to point to in this unique environment. Front left, Massimo Garribba, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General Energy and present Head of the ITER Council; Alain Bécoulet, ITER Head of the Engineering Domain (blue helmet); and Christophe Grudler, who led the MEP delegation to ITER.

The impression was confirmed by the visit of the Assembly Hall, guided by Alain Bécoulet, ITER Head of the Engineering Domain, and Laurent Schmieder, Fusion for Energy Program Manager for Buildings, Infrastructure and Power Supplies. "Of course I had an idea of what to expect," said MEP Grudler as he stood under one of the massive vacuum vessel sectors docked vertically in one of the twin sub-assembly tools. "But I didn't anticipate seeing so many components ready to be assembled. For us parliamentarians, this is very comforting. We see the work being done, it's reassuring."

 

After a long pause at the edge of the Tokamak pit (and innumerable selfies), the delegation headed for the last stop in the visit: the ITER cryoplant, where David Grillot, Cryogenic Section Leader, and Nicolas Navion-Maillot, a cryogenic engineer, guided a quick visit.

There are other awe-inspiring places on the ITER worksite but the coil winding facility, the Assembly Hall and adjacent Tokamak pit, and the cryoplant are emblematic of the size and scope of the project. "What we have seen and understood today will enable us to promote ITER and fusion, and to share our conviction with our colleagues in the EU Parliament," said Grudler, as the delegation prepared to board the bus at the end of the visit. "What we have seen here is European money at work." 

See the press release issued after the event here.

Last stop on the tour: the ITER cryoplant, the largest single-unit cryogenic facility in the world. David Grillot, the ITER Cryogenic Section Leader (left), provided the explanations.
The glass display case that contains samples of conductor and various examples of helium inlet connections are one of the attractions of the visitors gallery located above the shop floor. Alain Bécoulet, Head of the Engineering Domain (blue helmet), explains the challenges of coil fabrication.
Pierre Gavouyère-Lasserre (right) of Fusion for Energy, shares how a 24-metre-in-diameter superconducting coil is wound out of kilometres of cable-in-conduit superconductor.
Discussion followed the presentations on the history, progress and challenges of the ITER Project. From left to right: Christophe Grudler, who was leading today's MEP delegation; Bernard Bigot, Director-General of the ITER Organization; Massimo Garribba, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General Energy and present Head of the ITER Council; Johannes Schwemmer, the Director of the European Domestic Agency Fusion for Energy (F4E); Jean-Marc Filhol, F4E Head of the ITER Department; and Laurent Schmieder, F4E Program Manager for Buildings, Infrastructure and Power Supplies.
The hallway next to the ITER Council chamber is a mandatory stop for Director-General Bigot when he greets visitors. The large window panes offer one of the best views of the ITER worksite.
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