Japanese fusion energy technology provider Kyoto Fusioneering has delivered its advanced Gyrotron system to UK-based fusion energy company Tokamak Energy.
Gyrotron, which can produce 1MW of Radio Frequency (RF) power, will boost the performance of Tokamak’s high-field spherical tokamak (ST40) and support its research.
The fuel-heating system will play a crucial role in heating and controlling the ST40 hydrogen plasma at temperatures that are many times hotter than the sun’s core.
It will also support the initiation and sustainment of plasma currents, advancing critical technologies for commercial fusion energy.
The Gyrotron system was delivered to Tokamak Energy’s Oxfordshire headquarters in December 2024 and is now ready for installation and commissioning.
Tokamak Energy strategic partnerships director Ross Morgan said: “We’re excited to work with our partners Kyoto Fusioneering to add this important upgrade to our record-breaking fusion machine and continue to operate ST40 to test and push new boundaries.
“The results from future experiments using the high-power gyrotron heating system will provide critical data to inform the design of future spherical tokamak pilot plants, on our mission to commercialise clean and limitless fusion energy in the 2030s.”
The gyrotron delivery to Tokamak Energy follows its collaboration with the US Department of Energy (DOE), and the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
The collaboration secured $52m to support the next-phase operations at ST40, advancing the fusion science and technology to develop pilot fusion power plants.
Gyrotron will enable key experiments, including testing lithium wall technologies on ST40, providing essential data and validating technologies for next-generation fusion systems.
In 2022, ST40 achieved a major milestone by reaching plasma ion temperatures of more than 100 million degrees Celsius, a critical threshold for commercial fusion energy.
With Kyoto’s advanced gyrotron technology, ST40 is expected to drive the next phase of experiments, advancing commercial fusion energy through the spherical tokamak approach.
Kyoto Fusioneering co-founder, chief fusioneer and CEO Satoshi Konishi said: “We are honoured to contribute to Tokamak Energy’s ST40, which stands as a benchmark for public-private partnerships and international collaboration.
“This partnership, bolstered by strong UK-Japan collaboration, represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of fusion energy.
“Committed to delivering world-class gyrotrons and exceptional engineering support, we look forward to working together to achieve the shared goal of clean, sustainable fusion power.”
