ITER signs Cooperation Agreement with Australia

Within the framework of the new agreement, it now becomes possible for Australia to contribute directly to the construction of the ITER machine in limited but important areas and for Australian researchers to participate in research collaborations at ITER. Cooperation is envisioned in a number of strategic areas, including diagnostics, materials, superconducting technology, and fusion plasma theory and modelling. 

For the ITER Organization, this is the first technical cooperation agreement concluded with a non Member state. 

“This represents a fundamental change,” says David Campbell, who heads ITER’s Science & Operations Department. “Although the fusion R&D activities in the seven ITER Members make up the vast majority of the international research program on fusion energy development, this is a first step in expanding our research collaborations into the wider fusion community, where there is significant, and in some cases unique, expertise. There is considerable potential for both the Australian and ITER fusion communities in such collaboration.” 

The agreement, signed on 30 September at ITER Headquarters, opens the door to cooperation between ANSTO and the ITER Organization in areas of mutual interest and benefit and defines a framework for such cooperation. In addition to ANSTO, Australian participants include the Australian National University (ANU), the University of Sydney, Curtin University, the University of Newcastle, the University of Wollongong and Macquarie University. 

ANSTO CEO Adi Paterson commented on the importance of the event. “This is a landmark day in the history of nuclear science in Australia. Fusion is the Holy Grail for energy production and, if achieved at a large-scale, would answer some of the world’s most pressing questions relating to sustainability, climate change and security.”

ITER Director-General Bernard Bigot celebrated the ANSTO agreement as a “new model of engagement” that is fully compliant with the ITER Agreement—a way of participating in ITER outside of full membership. “We look forward to Australia contributing solutions directly to the ITER machine in limited but well focused and important domains. As the ITER Project advances, we expect to see interest from additional countries seeking to participate and contribute significantly to the ITER program, and we welcome this expanding participation.”

BACKGROUND TO THE PRESS RELEASE 

The ITER Project 

ITER—designed to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power—will be the world's largest experimental fusion facility. Fusion is the process that powers the Sun and the stars: when light atomic nuclei fuse together to form heavier ones, a large amount of energy is released. Fusion research is aimed at developing a safe, abundant and environmentally responsible energy source. 

ITER is also a first-of-a-kind global collaboration. Europe is contributing almost half of the costs of its construction, while the other six Members to this joint international venture (China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the USA), are contributing equally to the rest. The ITER Project is under construction in Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, in the south of France. 

In July 2016, the ITER Council approved the proposal for a Cooperation Agreement with ANSTO, pursuant to Article 19 of the ITER Agreement on international cooperation, which reads: “… the ITER Organization may, in furtherance of its purpose, cooperate with other international organizations and institutions, non parties, and with organizations and institutions of non-parties, and conclude agreements or arrangements with them to this effect. The detailed arrangements for such cooperation shall be determined in each case by the Council. 

For more information on the ITER Project, visit: http://www.iter.org/

ANSTO 

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is a public research organization that pursues advanced applications of nuclear science and technology for the benefit of the public and industry. See more on the ANSTO website: http://www.ansto.gov.au/

CONTACT

Laban Coblentz 
Laban.coblentz@iter.org 
+33 4 42 17 66 17