NEF CDT visit to CEA and ITER
The trip to Cadarache with the Nuclear Energy Futures CDT was an unforgettable experience that provided us with a unique perspective on both the scale and diversity of nuclear research in France. Over five days, we had the chance to visit the ITER construction site and some of the research facilities at CEA.
Visiting ITER was an incredible experience, as it is currently the largest planned fusion reactor globally. Even though the project is still under construction, the scale of the site and the complexity of the systems being assembled were impressive. It was amazing to walk around the pit where the reactor was being assembled and also walk through the large assembly hall where components were being prepared to be put into the reactor. Seeing the real scale of this project and the inch-perfect precision required to assemble this Tokamak reactor was truly outstanding. As part of the tour, we also had the opportunity to speak to engineers and scientists involved with the project; their knowledge and expertise in different fields gave us first hand insight on the intricacies, scale and potential of this project.
At the CEA, we were given a tour of the WEST, Éole and Minerve facilities. WEST is an active tokamak used to test fusion materials such as tungsten divertors under realistic plasma conditions. The results of these experiments are relevant to the development of ITER. Whereas Éole and Minerve were research reactors that were closed in 2017. They have since had the fuel removed and are perfect examples of decommissioned reactors. These facilities provided us with a broader view of ongoing nuclear research.
While this trip was valuable from a technical point, it was also nice to spend time with the CDT cohort, as it allows us to discuss project progress as well as developing valuable friendships. As part of the visit, we were also fortunate to have a day to explore the local area. We decided to venture to Aix-en-Provence to walk around the city centre and enjoy a cohort meal together.
Moli Smith, Cohort 5 - Nuclear Futures CDT
