The Nuclear Fusion Programme bundles the activities of KIT, which are related to the development of technologies for a fusion reactor. Fusion energy is associated with the wish to supply a safe and environmentally compatible source of energy that decisively contributes to covering the electricity consumption of mankind for several centuries.
In the burning chamber of a fusion reactor, atomic nuclei of hydrogen are fused to harmless helium in a controlled way with a significant energy gain, following the example of the sun. This requires a sophisticated technology which has been the subject of intensive studies in worldwide cooperation for about 60 years now. By the magnetic confinement of the fuel in a torus-shaped chamber and by heating the hydrogen to about a hundred million degrees, conditions for nuclear fusion are established. The net energy gained is used in a conventional way for steam generation and the production of electric energy.
Under the Nuclear Fusion Programme, major systems and components for
ITER are developed and tested. ITER (lat. the way) is the next step towards a fusion power plant. Moreover, basic preliminary work is accomplished for the demo reactor that will succeed ITER, e.g. the development of suitable materials and systems for energy decoupling.
Work of the Nuclear Fusion Programme is incorporated in the 7th framework programme of the European Union, research area "Energy, Environment, and Sustainable Development - EURATOM". The programme is executed within the framework of "Fusion for Energy“ (European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy) and of “EFDA“ (European Fusion Development Agreement) with research institutions from many European countries being involved.
