ITER is a first-of-a-kind global collaboration. It will be the world's largest experimental fusion facility and is designed to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power.
Fusion is the process which powers the sun and the stars. When light atomic nuclei fuse together to form heavier ones, a large amount of energy is released. Fusion research is aimed at developing a safe, limitless and environmentally responsible energy source.
Europe will contribute almost half of the costs of its construction, while the other six Members to this joint international venture (China, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the USA), will contribute equally to the rest.
The site of the ITER project is at Cadarache in the South of France.
Fusion for Energy (F4E) is the European Union’s organisation responsible for providing Europe’s procurements
and "in kind" contribution to ITER.
One of the main tasks of F4E is to work together with European industry, SMEs and research organisations to develop and provide a wide range of high technology components for the ITER project such as magnets and the vacuum vessel, power supplies and cryostat, heating and diagnostics including their respective engineering, maintenance and support services. It also supports fusion R&D initiatives through the Broader Approach Agreement signed with Japan and prepares for the construction of demonstration fusion reactors (DEMO).
F4E was created by a decision of the Council of the European Union as an independent legal entity.
F4E was established in April 2007 for a period of 35 years. Its offices are in Barcelona, Spain.
Through this collaboration a new joint venture named "engage" has been created.
April 13th, 2010 : One of the biggest engineering contracts ever in Europe was signed by Fusion for Energy (F4E). Worth approximately 150 million Euros, the Architect Engineer contract for ITER Buildings and Civil Infrastructures was awarded to the Engage consortium. It represents a total of around 1,700,000 hours of work, spread over the 8 years foreseen for the design and the construction of ITER buildings.
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