Agreement will focus on advancing physics and technology
Transatlantic cooperation on fusion energy has been strengthened by the signing of a memorandum of understanding that sets out a programme of collaboration spanning a wide range of fusion disciplines to support ambitions to deliver commercial fusion energy
The MOU was signed between the US Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).
The UKAEA said the agreement builds on King Charles’s address to the US Congress in Washington in April, which highlighted new partnerships between the UK and the US on fusion energy, ensuring that “British and American ingenuity continues to lead the world”.
The agreement will focus on advancing the physics and technology basis for future fusion power plants.
Under the agreement, PPPL and UKAEA will work together to expand scientific, academic, and educational cooperation across fusion science and technology.
This work will include reciprocal staff exchanges, access to major research facilities, joint projects, exchange of academic information, collaboration on International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (Iter) diagnostics, advanced computing programmes and wider information sharing over the coming years.
Fulvio Militello, executive director of plasma science and fusion operations at UKAEA, said the agreement with PPPL confirms the positive working relationship between the US and UK fusion communities.
