Assystem receives engineering design contract from UKAEA

Assystem has secured a framework contract from the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to provide engineering support services across multiple disciplines.

Internal view of the JET vacuum vessel — The inside of the Joint European Torus, which can reach more than 500°C during operations. US project aim to make equipment more resistant to these temperatures. Credit: EUROfusion.

Assystem has secured a framework contract from the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to provide engineering support services across multiple disciplines.

Under the contract, Assystem will deliver services for various projects across major areas that include mechanical, process and civil engineering, electrical, control and instrumentation, building services, as well as integrated design.

UKAEA is a government research organisation focused on the development of nuclear fusion power, which is set to play a key role in reducing emissions as part of commitments under the UK Climate Change Act.

The UK aims to cut greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050 and is also a signatory to the Paris Agreement to combat climate change.

Assystem Nuclear senior vice-president Christian Jeanneau said: “We are committed to building a long-term partnership with UKAEA as part of Assystem’s long-term strategic development and are delighted to be awarded this new framework agreement to provide multi-discipline engineering support.”

“UKAEA remains committed to supporting industry in securing business by partnering with companies to deliver processes necessary for achieving fusion as a reliable energy source.”

UKAEA owns and operates the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE), the national fusion research laboratory at Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire.

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CCFE hosts Joint European Torus (JET), which is a magnetic fusion experiment that the laboratory is conducting in collaboration with other European partners. It aims to develop fusion as a new source of clean energy for future power stations.

In addition, the centre houses the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST) experiment upgrade, which involves carrying out improvements to the existing MAST facility in three stages.

UKAEA business development head Martin Townsend said: “UKAEA remains committed to supporting industry in securing business by partnering with companies to deliver new technologies and processes necessary for success in achieving fusion as a reliable energy source.

“Assystem is well-known for its expertise in engineering design which will benefit UKAEA in the mission to achieve fusion energy and collaborate with big fusion projects such as International Tokamak Experimental Reactor (ITER).”