Jack Acres
Keynote Speaker
After graduating with a chemical engineering degree from the University of Manchester, Jack joined UKAEA in his current role in 2020 following a career in oil and gas, and speciality chemicals.
Working within the STEP project team since joining UKAEA, Jack’s focus has been on developing power generation elements of fusion. This has involved understanding how the STEP prototype can convert thermal energy from a novel tokamak into electrical power.
Keynote 6: The STEP Prototype Fusion Power Plant and its Power Infrastructure
Thursday, January 18th
08:30 – 09:00 HG F 30 | Audi Max
Additional Project Information:
Supply Chain Presentation
Abstract:
Harnessing fusion energy for power generation is an exciting opportunity for producing low carbon, safe, predictable and sustainable electricity without high-level waste.
The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) is a project spun out of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority; the STEP prototype power plant aiming to be built in 2040, will demonstrate the ability to generate net power on the grid from a fusion heat source. While the STEP prototype is unlikely to be commercially viable, it must pave the way for future commercial plants at larger scales with competitive lifecycle costs.
There are a number of challenges which must be addressed to efficiently generate power from a fusion device more broadly and a spherical tokamak more specifically.
This presentation will discuss these challenges and how these have influenced a power plant design which has led to special considerations on heat transfer capability, turbomachinery, and electric power transmission.
