Cranberry Township-based Westinghouse Electric Co. and France-based ITER, an international nuclear fusion organization, recently signed a $180 million contract for the assembly of a vacuum vessel for a fusion reactor.
A vacuum vessel is a hermetically sealed, double-walled steel container that houses fusion plasma. It is ITER’s most critical component. Under the contract, Westinghouse will complete all the vacuum vessel sectors and then will begin simultaneously welding the nine sectors to form a single, circular ring-shaped chamber.
“Westinghouse has always been at the forefront of energy innovation, and we are proud to work with ITER on this breakthrough initiative that could ensure energy security for generations to come,” Dan Sumner, Westinghouse interim CEO, said. “Our expert teams look forward to bringing our world-class capabilities and expertise to the completion of this important project.”
Westinghouse and partners Ansaldo Nucleare and Walter Tosto have fabricated five vacuum vessel sectors as part of the Fusion for Energy Consortium. Westinghouse developed advanced fabrication techniques.
“ITER is pleased to have Westinghouse Electric Company taking on this significant role in our first-of-a kind project,” Pietro Barabaschi, ITER director-general, said.
Once construction of the ITER reactor is completed, it will provide a practical source of reliable carbon-free energy.