UK Fusion Team Get 48 Million Pound Grant

ENERGY TECH

UK Fusion Team Get £48 Million Grant

illustration only

London - Feb 18, 2004
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council is allocating its largest ever grant of ďż˝48M. The funding, for fusion research, will run over 4 years. EPSRC took over responsibility for the UK fusion programme in April 2003 with dedicated funding allocated via the Office of Science and Technology.

Fusion, the process by which the sun produces heat and light, has the potential to provide an almost limitless clean, safe, renewable energy source for future generations. However, before that can be achieved some formidable engineering and scientific challenges need to be addressed which is why strong investment in this area is so crucial.

The EPSRC grant has been awarded to the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) at its Culham site in Oxfordshire. The grant will underpin the UK involvement in the EURATOM Joint European Torus (JET), also at Culham, the development of the UK's own fusion device, MAST (Mega-Amp Spherical Tokamak) and research on the materials needed for a fusion power station.

Professor Sir David King, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Government and Head of the Office of Science and Technology said, "this grant will enable Culham to continue its excellent work in the development of fusion science leading to fusion power, and in doing so maintain the UK's position as one of the world leaders in fusion".

"This is part of a broad portfolio of energy related research", said Professor John O'Reilly, the Chief Executive of EPSRC, "developing fusion as a source of energy is an exciting scientific and technological challenge, this funding will further promote active engagement between Culham and the broader UK academic community".

In 2000-01 a UK Government interdepartmental policy review endorsed the UK's commitment to fusion research and highlighted opportunities to develop and exploit synergies between Culham and the wider science and engineering base.

UK funding for fusion was transferred from the DTI's energy budget to the OST's science budget in April 2002, with EPSRC taking over responsibility for funding the UK programme in April 2003. EURATOM also part-funds the UK programme. In addition to fusion, EPSRC's energy portfolio includes sustainable energy technologies, nuclear and conventional fossil fuel based power.

The Fusion Advisory Board provides advice on the domestic programme and the UK's participation in international and industrial projects. The Fusion Advisory Board is made up of representatives from industry, academia, the European fusion community and the principal stakeholders (DTI/OST, DTI/ NCLU ďż˝the Nuclear and Coal Liabilities Unit, UKAEA and EPSRC).

The United Kingdom Energy Authority (UKAEA) through its Culham Division in Oxfordshire, is responsible for providing the UK's input to the European fusion research programme and for operating the JET facilities on behalf of the EURATOM partners.

ENERGY TECH

New Reactor Puts Hydrogen From Renewable Fuels Within Reach

Minneapolis - Feb 16, 2004
The first reactor capable of producing hydrogen from a renewable fuel source - ethanol - efficiently enough to hold economic potential has been invented by University of Minnesota engineers. When coupled with a hydrogen fuel cell, the unit - small enough to hold in your hand - could generate one kilowatt of power, almost enough to supply an average home, the researchers said.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.