A new wave of fusion energy experiments on the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s record-breaking Joint European Torus (JET) started this month.

EUROfusion researchers are using the famous JET machine to conduct a series of tests using helium to help inform future operations at ITER, the fusion mega-project under construction in Southern France.

ITER is expected to start operations using helium and hydrogen test plasmas before commencing experiments with deuterium and tritium, the more efficient fuel used by JET to break the world record for sustained fusion energy at the end of 2021.

EUROfusion researchers will study the behaviour of the plasmas as well as test the impact of helium on JET’s tungsten and beryllium wall to help ITER efficiently build up to full power operations. The new experiments at Culham Science Centre, Oxford, started this month and will run for up to 16 weeks.

Dr Tim Luce, ITER’s Head of Science and Operation, said:

“An essential element of the ITER Research Plan is to explore control of the plasma interaction with the wall at high fusion temperatures. This needs to be addressed in the initial research phases before deuterium and tritium are used to produce fusion power in ITER.

“We have great expectations for how these experiments can help us optimise our plan to move as efficiently as possible into deuterium-tritium operation.”

JET is unique in its capabilities not only for deuterium-tritium operation, but also for operating in the required high confinement mode with pure helium and with the ITER wall materials.

Fernanda Rimini, JET Senior Manager, said:

“The ground-breaking research and innovation being done in the UK, in the framework of the EUROfusion consortium and with our partners across the globe, is all geared towards making fusion energy a reality.

“JET is one of the most important machines in the history of fusion. After breaking the record for sustained energy last year, these important new experiments will prove more science and provide crucial data for the ITER team as they prepare for operations, ultimately saving time and money on our roadmap to delivering fusion power to the grid.”

Record JET results announced in February were the clearest demonstration worldwide of the potential for fusion energy, which is based on the same processes that power the sun and stars, to deliver safe and sustainable low carbon energy in the future.

The record fifty-nine megajoules of sustained fusion energy was produced at JET by researchers from the EUROfusion consortium of experts, students and staff from across Europe, co-funded by the European Commission.

Norwich Magistrates issued the Order (on 16 August 2022) prohibiting any person from accessing an area around 15 hectares off Clockcase Road, Clenchwarton, near King’s Lynn. It also prohibits the importation of waste onto the designated area.

Any breach will result in criminal sanctions. The Order will remain in force until 11.59pm on 15 February 2023, although this could be extended on further application.

The Restriction Order was issued following an application by the Environment Agency, under section 109D Environment Act 1995. When making the application, the Environment Agency considered the harm that the Clockcase Road waste activities could have on human health and the environment.

It follows the issuing of a Stop Notice by the Environment Agency to the owner of land at Kenfield Farm, Main Road, Clenchwarton in June (2022). They are also associated with the area of land at Clockcase Road. This required an immediate halt to the unauthorised deposit and burning of waste following a major fire at the Kenfield Farm site in May (2022).

Norfolk Fire and Rescue had raised concerns about the potential for more fires, given the prolonged dry weather.

Investigations into alleged waste activities at both sites are continuing.

Andrew Raine, Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

The Environment Agency continues to target all unauthorised waste activity. Through this Restriction Order we are demonstrating we will continue to use the full range of powers available to us. To protect the environment and people and tackle those responsible.

If anyone witnesses waste being taken onto, or burning at this or any other site, please email EAN-Enforcement-West@environment-agency.gov.uk.

If you have any other information about the site that could help our enquiries or any other unauthorised waste sites or activities contact us. Our incident hotline number is 0800 80 70 60 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Environment Agency works closely with the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk and Norfolk Police on this unauthorised site.

Councillor Paul Kunes, Cabinet member for Environment and CO2 Reduction, said:

I welcome the use of enforcement action by the Environment Agency as this kind of behaviour shows contempt for the environment and local community.

This must not be tolerated, and we will do everything in our power to put a stop to unauthorised waste disposal when we become aware of it.

The borough council will continue to support the Environment Agency, who are the lead organisation, with this investigation and any future incidents. Joint action will be taken as and when needed.

The public can help us by reporting incidents and eliminate the illegal waste market by checking that they only hand their waste to those authorised to take it. Businesses and individuals should also make sure they are aware of their own waste responsibilities so that they are compliant with the law.

GAD provides actuarial advice on all the main UK public service pension schemes, which affects around 15 million people.

The development of our Analysis and Experience dashboard has provided us with a greater understanding of the underlying movements in pension scheme data. This helps us set and validate assumptions and improves the robustness of our work.

The development of these tools helps us support the ambition of the Government’s National Data Strategy and National AI Strategy which encourages departments to enable data-driven policy decisions and realise the potential of powerful AI techniques.

Analysis of Experience dashboard

The Analysis of Experience dashboard is an interactive tool. It allows the user to compare the actual experience of membership progression for a pension scheme against expectations.

As with any model, once the assumptions have been set and the results produced, exterior factors then change, and assumptions need updating.

The Analysis of Experience dashboard is an interactive, flexible, and accessible tool. It enables actuaries to visualise emerging experience from a range of perspectives.

Among its features are dropdown menus and range sliders. Buttons allow users flexibility to adjust the calculations and outputs on the dashboard using validated input values

It also

• loads the inputs (from external files) that are relevant to the selected scheme
• performs a standard set of calculations on the input data
• prints output tables and interactive charts to the dashboard itself and external files
• provides an audit trail of data and model versions used
• provides the ability to save the input combination used so that it can be reloaded with ease at a later date

When might dashboards be useful for you?

Interactive dashboards have enabled GAD users to comprehend the meaning of data and to identify trends quickly and effectively. Contact us if you are interested in developing dashboards to better understand data in your organisation.

Dashboard benefits

Among the benefits are interactive charts which can be used to explore the data further and gain greater insights and understanding of its features. Other benefits also include:

• greater interactivity of the tool (compared to previous Excel model) makes it easier for users to test out different proposed assumptions
• access to a wider range of in-built statistical tests and visualisations that Python and R has available
• performs calculations for the various experience items (such as pensioner mortality, withdrawal, age retirement etc) within a single model/code
• single centralised code file means that only one model needs to be updated if the calculation methodologies require updating (rather than needing to update separate Excel spreadsheets for each scheme as in previous valuations)
• better consistency in calculation processing and output formats across schemes (so easier and more efficient for the people involved – more robust against errors)
• greater level of automation leading to reduced risk of errors
• more intuitive experience for users
• users cannot accidentally alter the underlying calculation code while using the dashboard

Developing our data science capability

GAD has been improving its data science capabilities through recruitment and training. We have also used data science techniques to complement traditional actuarial approaches on many client projections, including this one.

As an example, we have developed our knowledge of the ‘Dash’ package in Python for creating the dashboard which enable us to:

• setup the entire dashboard using only Python code – other frameworks can require the use of other languages
• utilise the Plotly package which provides interactive features

Contact GAD if you’d like to discuss how you can utilise data science techniques in your work and help government achieve its strategic ambition in this area.

Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, today visited UKAEA and FLF joined by Bill Lee, Chief Scientific Adviser (Nuclear) at the Ministry of Defence.

UKAEA, based in the Culham Science Centre, is the UK government research organisation responsible for the development of fusion energy. It is a non-departmental public body of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

During his visit, Sir Patrick learned about transformative potential of fusion energy in the global fight against climate change. Specifically, he received a briefing on STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), the first prototype fusion energy powerplant, He also received presentations from several innovative companies based at the Culham Science Centre including General Fusions, Reaction Engines and Oxbotica.

Following his visit to UKAEA, Sir Patrick met the team at FLF, which focuses on decarbonising the global energy system through an inertial confinement approach. Sir Patrick was given facility tours of the Big Friendly Gun (BFG), the highest energy projectile launcher in the UK, and Machine 3 (M3), the largest pulsed power facility in Europe.

Speaking about the visit, Sir Patrick said:

It was fantastic to visit UKAEA and FLF today and see first-hand the exciting potential of fusion technology and the rapid progress being made. Their collective, ongoing contribution to nuclear fusion research and demonstration is helping to solve one of the world’s greatest challenges in decarbonising our global energy systems, as well as advancing a range of critical science and technology areas.

Professor Ian Chapman, UKAEA Chief Executive, added:

We believe fusion energy can be an environmentally responsible part of the world’s future energy mix and it was fantastic to discuss the ground-breaking research and innovation being done here in the UK with Sir Patrick.

UKAEA continues to create jobs and drive economic growth in fusion-focused and adjacent fields, while helping to keep the country at the forefront of the international scientific community.