Project objective
The primary objective of the EUROfusion project is the development of technologies necessary for the construction and commercial operation of future fusion power plants. Scientific work is carried out in accordance with the European Roadmap to the Realisation of Fusion Energy. The programme focuses on two key strategic pillars:Strategic pillars:
1. Design and Construction of the ITER Tokamak
The ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project is a major international scientific undertaking aimed at building the world's largest tokamak fusion reactor. The tokamak is under construction in Cadarache, France.
EUROfusion actively supports the construction and future operation of the ITER experimental reactor in France. Activities include plasma physics experiments conducted on existing smaller European stellarators and tokamaks (e.g. W7-X, ASDEX Upgrade, WEST, TCV) in order to validate scientific solutions developed for plasma generation and confinement, as well as the development of advanced plasma control and diagnostic systems, including the use of artificial intelligence for fusion control.
2. Development of the DEMO demonstration fusion power plant.
The European DEMO fusion reactor will succeed ITER and is intended to become the first facility delivering electricity generated from fusion directly to the power grid. The objective includes:
- Preparation of technological and engineering designs for the DEMO reactor.
- Research and development of materials resistant to extreme temperatures and to gamma and neutron radiation inside the reactor.
- Development of diagnostic systems necessary for plasma maintenance and control.
Project partners
The complete list of partners is available in Grant Agreement No. 101052200 and Amendment 04 (pages 3–11).
Expected Project Impact
Development of solutions and technologies enabling the construction of fusion power plants capable of generating virtually unlimited amounts of electricity. The expected impact of EUROfusion focuses primarily on the transition from purely scientific research to the industrial deployment of fusion energy as a safe, clean, and almost inexhaustible energy source. This includes both the ITER tokamak and the DEMO fusion power plant.
This contributes to climate protection and energy security. Fusion energy is expected to become a cornerstone of a zero-emission energy mix alongside renewable energy sources, helping to achieve climate neutrality. Unlike conventional nuclear power plants, fusion reactors do not produce long-lived radioactive waste and are inherently safe with respect to the risk of uncontrolled explosions.
Fusion energy offers enormous energy efficiency while consuming minimal quantities of fuel, which is practically inexhaustible under terrestrial conditions. To power a 1 GW power plant for one year, only about 100 kg of deuterium and a few tonnes of lithium would be required.
Project funding
Total funding allocated to Lodz University of Technology amounts to PLN 2,325,633 for the period 2020-2027.