2035 Commercial Power Generation... 'K-Innovation Fusion Reactor' Development Accelerates
Korea Fusion Energy Research Institute's 'KSTAR' (Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research) in operation. [Herald DB]
[Herald Economy = Reporter Koo Bon-hyuk] Industry-academia cooperation is being actively pursued for the development of a Korean innovative fusion reactor for commercialization of fusion power generation by 2035.
Fusion Research Institute, Hyundai Engineering Cooperate on Design and Construction Technology
The Korea Fusion Energy Research Institute signed a mutual cooperation agreement on the development of core technologies for the Korean innovative fusion reactor to accelerate the realization of fusion energy with Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd. on the 10th.
This agreement aims to establish a cooperation foundation between research institutions and industry to secure related technologies in the design and construction of the Korean innovative fusion reactor.
The Korean innovative fusion reactor refers to a next-generation fusion power generation system with improved economic feasibility and stability to overcome the limitations of existing fusion reactors and increase commercialization potential.
It is one-third the size of a 200MW thermal output demonstration reactor, with conceptual design starting this year, construction in 2030, and completion and power generation demonstration by 2035.
Under this agreement, the two organizations will cooperate in the following areas: ▷Design and construction technology of the Korean innovative fusion reactor ▷Site evaluation and radiation licensing technology for fusion reactors ▷Other areas of mutual interest agreed upon by both organizations.
Yang Hyung-yeol (left), head of the Innovative Fusion Reactor Design Team, and Lee Seung-won, head of the Energy Business Division at Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd., pose for a commemorative photo after the MOU. [Provided by the Korea Fusion Energy Research Institute]
The government's K-Moonshot project proposes 'Development of a Korean fusion small demonstration reactor and demonstration of power generation' as one of the national missions in the future energy sector.
Hyundai Engineering has accumulated experience and capabilities in the plant and engineering fields. The Fusion Energy Research Institute expects that this agreement will expand the foundation for cooperation with industry in key technology areas such as fusion reactor design and construction technology, site evaluation, and radiation licensing.
Yang Hyung-yeol, head of the Innovative Fusion Reactor Design Team, said, 'The success of the Korean innovative fusion reactor development depends not only on theoretical research but also on the engineering capabilities in the design and construction stages to perfectly implement it as a real large-scale facility.' He added, 'We will use this agreement as an opportunity to establish a cooperation foundation with Hyundai Engineering and contribute to securing related technologies.'
