The ITER tokamak pit with the two vacuum vessel sector modules installed. (Photo: ITER)
Westinghouse Electric Company announced that it has signed a $180 million contract with the ITER Organization for the assembly of the vacuum vessel for the fusion reactor being built in southern France. Designed to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power, the ITER tokamak will be the world’s largest experimental fusion facility.
Westinghouse will be responsible for completing the vacuum vessel, a hermetically sealed, double-walled steel container that will house the fusion plasma. When all nine of ITER’s vacuum vessel sectors are in place, Westinghouse will start what is expected to be the most intensive stage of ITER assembly—simultaneously welding the nine sectors to form a single torus.
According to Westinghouse, in its more than a decade-long collaboration with ITER, the company has played an integral role in the manufacturing of key parts for the tokamak’s vacuum vessel, including the manufacturing of five vacuum vessel sectors in cooperation with its partners Ansaldo Nucleare and Walter Tosto. Westinghouse’s participation also has involved developing advanced fabrication techniques and collaborating with global partners to meet ITER’s criteria.
Quotes: “ITER is pleased to have Westinghouse Electric Company taking on this significant role in our first-of-a kind project,” said Pietro Barabaschi, director general of the ITER Organization. “With decades of leadership in nuclear power plant design and construction, we are confident that Westinghouse will be able to apply its remarkable expertise to the assembly of the ITER tokamak.”
“Westinghouse has always been at the forefront of energy innovation, and we are proud to work with ITER on this breakthrough initiative that could ensure energy security for generations to come,” said Dan Sumner, Westinghouse interim CEO.
