Magnet Power Conversion Buildings
The procurement responsibility for the electrical equipment in the twin Magnet Power Conversion buildings is shared by Korea, China and Russia. The twin buildings were transferred from the European Domestic Agency, Fusion for Energy, to the ITER Organization in April 2019.
Like a computer or a smartphone, ITER's 10,000 tonnes of superconducting magnets will be powered on direct current (DC). And—like flashlights and smartphones—they will need an "adapter" to convert the alternating current (AC) from ITER's electrical distribution network.
Two identical buildings on the platform—the Magnet Power Conversion buildings—play the role of adapter. One hundred and fifty metres in length, densely packed with equipment, the twin buildings are the "stepping stone" between the power arriving at the ITER switchyard at 400 kV, and the ITER magnets, which require power at DC voltages between 0.10 kV and 1.35 kV, depending on their size.
Before it reaches the superconducting magnets, the electrical power from the 400 kV switchyard is stepped down through a cascade of transformations. First, three very large pulsed power electrical transformers reduce the voltage to 66 kV and 22 kV before the electrical power is fed to the converter transformers outside the Magnet Power Conversion buildings. Thirty-two AC/DC converter units—comprising a transformer, a converter and a busbar section—are planned for First Plasma.
The converter transformers are each dedicated to a specific magnet system (central solenoid, toroidal field coils, poloidal field coils, correction coils). Their role is to bring the voltage down to approximately 1 kV (the precise voltage is determined by the individual magnet system). Each one is paired with a large rectifier whose function is to convert the AC current to large DC current.
Once the current has been "rectified," it can be fed to the magnets. Given the intensity of the current, steel-jacketed aluminium bars called "busbars"—actively cooled through a constant flow of pressurized water—replace more traditional cables. No fewer than 5 km of bipolar busbars will travel through the Magnet Power Conversion buildings and across 50-metre-long elevated bridges to the Tokamak Complex. On the last leg of their journey, the busbars will almost fully occupy two levels of the Diagnostics Building.
Also housed in the Tokamak Complex are the fast discharge units and switches that offer an alternative path to the huge amount of energy stored in the ITER magnet system (up to 50 gigajoules) in the case of a "quench"—a rare but anticipated event that causes part of the magnet system to lose superconductivity.
Magnet Power Conversion Building facts:
- Construction: 2016-2019
- Total area: 9,400 m² indoor plus 5,700 m² outdoor
- Number of buildings: 2
- Building dimensions: 150 metres long, 30 metres wide
- Number of converter units: 32 for first-phase operation, then 44
- Start of integrated testing: 2023
Photo Gallery
Two stand out
2019-05-20 - The twin Magnet Power Conversion buildings are highlighted in this image of the ITER worksite.
Transformer Street
2019-05-20 - Of the 32 transformers needed for First Plasma, 30 have already been delivered to ITER from China and Korea. In this photo, Chinese transformers are being installed in their dedicated bays outside of one of the twin buildings.
Busbar support
2019-05-20 - Inside the buildings, workers are installing supports for Russian-procured busbars that will be installed to deliver DC power to the magnets. The equipment will leave the buildings over two 50-metre-long bridges.
Equipment is arriving
2019-05-20 - Now that the civil work on the twin buildings is nearly completed, the installation of equipment can begin. Equipment is expected from China, Korea, Russia and India. Follow all installation and commissioning news on the assembly pages of the ITER website (/construction/assembly).
Three plant buildings handed over
2019-03-29 - The European Domestic Agency Fusion for Energy hands over three completed buildings to the ITER Organization in March: the twin Magnet Power Conversion buildings and a smaller facility for reactive power compensation. Equipment installation can now begin.
Late March 2019
2019-03-29 - Looking south over the ITER site from one of the Tokamak Complex cranes.
Transformer Way
2018-11-27 - Equipment from China and Korea is arriving for the Magnet Power Conversion buildings on site. Two 150-metre twin buildings will act as the AC/DC adapter that converts current coming out of the electrical distribution network into the DC current required by the magnets.
Transformers moved on site
2018-11-26 - Four transformers recently delivered to the ITER site have been moved to their final berths. In the lot, were three central solenoid converters procured by Korea and one poloidal field coil rectifier procured by China. ITER's Field Engineering Installation Division was in charge of the operation.
Plant system zone
2018-07-25 - Areas for cryogenics, magnet power conversion, and the arrival of electricity ... all in support of the ITER Tokamak. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Looking north
2018-07-24 - Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Running overhead
2018-06-25 - This "cabin" marks the starting point for a covered bridge that will shelter the electrical busbars running power from the Magnet Power Conversion buildings to the magnet coils in the Tokamak Building.
Finished in 2017
2018-04-25 - Three of the structures that were completed in 2017 and made ready for equipment: (from left to right) the cryoplant and two buildings dedicated to magnet power conversion. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Work inside
2018-04-18 - Finishing work is underway on the inside of the buildings. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Power conversion halls
2018-02-20 - Deep electrical trenches have been prepared in the power conversion halls of the Magnet Power Conversion buildings. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Two additional transformers
2018-01-31 - Two Korean transformers are installed in January.
In January
2018-01-16 - Working on the transformer bays. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Electrical autoroute
2017-12-20 - Straight galleries run from the pulsed power electrical network transformers to the Magnet Power Conversion buildings. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Electrifying
2017-12-20 - Four transformers have been installed. ITER will need 32 for First Plasma and another 12 for full power operation. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Installation activities
2017-12-20 - The focus is turning to equipment installation for these three long buildings, as the structures themselves have reached an advanced level of maturity. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Ready for installation
2017-12-20 - The concrete bays between the buildings are ready for the transformers arriving from Korea and China. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Snow on the rooftops
2017-12-05 - In December a light dusting of snow covered the rooftops of the cryoplant (left) and the Magnet Power Conversion building (right) for 24 hours. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Distributing the power
2017-10-26 - A lot of work is underway on the technical galleries connecting the electrical switchyard to the Magnet Power Conversion buildings and others. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Progress in the conversion buildings
2017-10-26 - Cable trenches have been created in the 150-metre-long Magnet Power Conversion buildings. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Transformers/converters
2017-10-11 - Between the two buildings, transformers will be installed for the transformation/conversion of the power supply destined for the superconducting magnets. The transformer bays are already in place.
Everything ready
2017-09-30 - The transformer bays are ready to receive equipment. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
On the inside
2017-09-30 - The first of the 150-metre-long Magnet Power Conversion buildings. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
T alley
2017-09-30 - The first four transformers arrived from China in October and will be installed in these bays. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Lifting and storing
2017-09-30 - Materials storage in one of the Magnet Power Conversion buildings. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Power conversion components arriving
2017-08-29 - As the structures of the buildings progress, components are arriving from abroad. The first transformers will arrive for the exterior bays in September. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Progress on second conversion building
2017-08-29 - The first already has its walls and roof; the second is underway. The equipment in these buildings will deliver AC power at the required voltage to ITER's superconducting magnets. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Cryo and conversion
2017-08-29 - On the left the cryoplant building is now fully framed out; on the right, the first bays have been created for transformers outside of Magnet Power Conversion building #1. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Power conversion building #2
2017-08-29 - The roof panels for the second Magnet Power Conversion building have arrived and installation is underway. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Long and low
2017-08-21 - The two 150-metre buildings will be densely packed with electrical converters, switches and fast discharge units. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Progress on the twin buildings
2017-08-21 - Late August, workers begin on the roof panels. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
An important role
2017-08-21 - Located between the 400 kV electrical switchyard and the Tokamak Complex, the buildings will furnish DC current to 10,000 tonnes of superconducting magnets. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
August 2017
2017-08-17 - The frame is going up on one of the two buildings.
Progress in July
2017-07-12 - One of the long, low Magnet Power Conversion buildings.
Frames visible
2017-07-11 - Over the summer, visible progress is accomplished on the structures of the twin buildings. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Midsection
2017-07-11 - To the south of the Tokamak Complex is the area reserved for: (top to bottom) the winding of poloidal field magnets (red-topped roof); the ITER cryoplant (in grey); and magnet power conversion (two buildings under construction). © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
A postcard from ITER
2017-07-03 - A guide to ITER construction ...
Converting the voltage
2017-06-14 - The two long, low buildings are going up between the 400 kV switchyard and the Tokamak Complex.
Inside the Magnet Power Conversion buildings
2017-06-10 - Densely packed with electrical converters, switches and fast discharge units, the twin, 150-metre-long Magnet Power Conversion buildings act as an AC/DC converter for the ITER magnetic system. (The interior layout of one building is shown here.)
Dark clouds for a change
2017-05-31 - On a cloudy day in late May, the photographer captured this shot. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Quick work
2017-05-31 - The relatively "simple" building frames are going up quickly. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Power conversion
2017-04-27 - Two identical buildings are going up side by side on the worksite. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Below and above
2017-04-10 - Work on underground technical galleries is underway between the worksites for the two buildings. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
March 2017
2017-03-22 - Progress in March 2017. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Power conversion buildings: what purpose?
2017-02-28 - Two buildings will house rectifier and power smoothing equipment to convert AC power from the pulsed power switchyard to the DC power needed by the superconducting magnet system. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Magnet power conversion will take place here
2017-01-25 - The columns of the—rather light—conversion buildings are being installed in advance of the foundation slabs. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Going up fast
2017-01-25 - These columns, erected in January, will support the roof structures. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
New project on the worksite
2017-01-25 - On the site of one of the buildings. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
From the sky
2017-01-12 - The technical areas of the ITER construction platform from bottom left to middle right: the transformers of the electrical switchyard; work underway on the technical galleries of the Magnet Power Conversion buildings; and the columns of the ITER cryoplant. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Underground labyrinth
2017-01-12 - Digging continues on the underground technical galleries of the buildings. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
The southern side of the platform
2016-12-19 - New projects are underway on the southern side of the platform. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Worksite filling in
2016-12-02 - Separate construction projects are distinguishable from the air: the Tokamak Complex (lower left), the cryoplant (upper right), groundwork for the Magnet Power Conversion buildings (lower right).
Site work begins for Magnet Power Conversion buildings
2016-10-04 - In this vast area between the electrical switchyard and the Tokamak Pit, preparatory works have started on the site of two power conversion buildings. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Excavation works
2016-06-24 - Digging continues on the site of the buildings in June.
Magnet power conversion
2016-06-02 - Work will be starting soon in this area of the platform, reserved for the two Magnet Power Conversion buildings.
Projects mushrooming
2015-10-14 - Preparatory works have begun for the buildings that will house the giant magnets power conversion units. As for all other buildings, the process kicks off with "soil investigation," where long drill bits are pushed as much as 15 metres below the surface in order to identify possible discontinuities or cavities created by water erosion (karsts). Holes are bored approximately every five metres.
Planning for power conversion
2015-05-30 - Digging is underway for the electrical galleries.
