ITER

An International Fusion Project

ITER will demonstrate the feasibility of fusion energy via the production and control of a sustained fusion power source, or “burning plasma.” The ITER Project is a collaboration of seven partners: China, the European Union (host), India, Japan, South Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States. Members share responsibility for delivering hardware systems to the ITER site and supporting construction with financial contributions. 

PPPL is responsible for delivering multiple diagnostic systems, scientific data and software coding. Diagnostic systems will provide ITER operators with eyes and ears to monitor operations and tools to measure performance.

massive component of ITER Project

What is ITER?


ITER is an experimental fusion facility now under assembly in southern France. With full power operation, ITER will demonstrate the production and control of a sustained fusion power source for hundreds of seconds at power plant-relevant scale. Experts across fusion sectors agree that this is an essential step to establish the scientific basis for practical fusion energy and the development of first-of-a-kind fusion technologies. The ITER Project crosscuts the nation’s fusion goals for research, technology development and a path to practical fusion energy.

aerial of the ITER site
render of the plasma in ITER vessel

Rendering of fusion plasma inside of the ITER tokamak.

U.S. and PPPL Contributions to ITER


US ITER is managed for the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science by Oak Ridge National Laboratory with partners Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and Savannah River National Laboratory. As an ITER member, the United States receives full access to all ITER-developed technology and scientific data but bears less than 10% of the construction cost. Most US ITER funding goes to U.S. industry, universities and national laboratories. As of December 2024, more than $1.4 billion has been awarded to U.S. industries and universities and obligated to DOE national laboratories in 46 states and Washington, D.C. 

The U.S. contribution consists of research and development, hardware design, and manufacturing for 12 essential ITER systems, plus financial support for construction and integration by the ITER Organization. The U.S. scope is approximately 50% complete.

PPPL successfully delivered the U.S. scope for the steady-state electrical network in 2017. The ITER site was energized in 2019 and has been supporting project needs. Early deliveries for captive components have been completed, and hardware fabrication is underway for the first diagnostics. Other diagnostics are advancing designs in preparation for fabrication.

More information is available at the ITER website and the U.S. ITER website.

 

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