Key enabling technologies for fusion power plants (European Partnership on Fusion Energy)

Di cosa tratta questo bando?

The topic funds Euratom Innovation Actions that mature and demonstrate key enabling technologies for fusion power plants, such as tritium breeding, fuel cycle, fusion materials and inertial confinement technologies. Consortia should combine public research with start-ups, SMEs and industry.

Cosa finanzia questo bando?

Scope

The topic funds Euratom Innovation Actions under the co-programmed European Partnership on Fusion Energy. Each proposal is expected to address one technology area that is key to future fusion power plants:

• tritium breeding;
• fuel cycle;
• high-power lasers and optical technologies for inertial confinement fusion;
• targets for inertial confinement fusion;
• fusion-grade materials;
• qualification of reactor components in a relevant operational plasma scenario, including high neutron load;
• digital technologies, including modelling and simulation;
• engineering design of future key enabling fusion facilities;
• any other technology relevant to fusion power plants.

What proposals should do

• set out the technology gaps addressed and show a thorough understanding of the needs of viable fusion power plants and of the state of the art;
• define the expected technology advances, as far as possible with quantitative targets or key performance indicators;
• describe the testing and demonstration approach, the target technology readiness level and how maturation will be monitored;
• enable close cooperation between public research and private companies (start-ups, SMEs and industry), reflected in the consortium and the activities;
• demonstrate the business potential of the innovation within and, where relevant, beyond the fusion field;
• where relevant, address safety constraints and build on related EU initiatives such as EUROfusion and Fusion for Energy.

The topic will probably be amended to align its scope with the partnership's strategic research and innovation agenda once that is published. Proposals should explain their alignment with that agenda and include activities that contribute to the partnership.

Expected outcomes

Technologies matured and demonstrated at TRL 6 to 8, tested in close-to-real-life conditions, with a credible business case showing the benefits for EU companies in the fusion field.

Cosa ci si aspetta dalle proposte?

• Proposals should clearly indicate which one of the listed technology areas they address.

Quando scade il bando?

4 novembre 2027 (363 giorni)

4 November 2027.