Programme Overview
Recent disruptive advances in Supercomputing, Artificial Intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML), and large-scale distributed big data and information management via the modern internet offer the potential to completely transform the design and validation of the complex systems, which will underpin future fusion powerplants. This can be applied to many other adjacent sectors (aerospace, automotive, space etc.) too.
Although world renowned centres of excellence in the digital space (esp. Around AI and supercomputing) exist within the UK research and industrial ecosystem, they are unable to provide full coverage of the digital technology advances needed to achieve the necessary capabilities for delivering the world’s first commercial fusion powerplants.
International collaboration is a cost-effective way to address gaps in UK capability whilst at the same time allowing the UK to democratise its own IP and innovation and help our international partners design and deliver the commercial fusion era. The intent of this programme is to develop this international collaboration. This effort falls broadly into three categories: national labs around the globe; UK universities, UK Public Sector Research Establishments (PSREs); and SMEs and industry.
Year one will focus primarily on pilot and existing collaborations.
Focusing the scope and output of collaborations to UK sector needs is key to maximising impact. To achieve this aim, the collaborative projects will be focused on a series of application-focused use cases. Such an approach will ensure the freedom of research discovery whilst ensuring that collaborative work is focused upon future application needs.
Timeframe and Key Milestones
| FY | Milestone |
| 24/25 | Phase I (Pilot collaborations and existing collaboration growth)
|
| 25/26 | Phase II (Scale out)
|
| 26/27, 27/28 | (Deliver and scale out further)
|
How does the programme fit into Fusion Futures, UKAEA, and under DESNZ?
UKAEA’s Computing division manages around one hundred collaborations at various scales and various levels of maturity (from small/embryonic to fully functioning at scale). Computing division programmes are deeply intertwined with each other and across UKAEA programmes/divisions, forming a very effective mix of collaborations, skills development and technology delivery. Existing programmes therefore touch upon many elements of the Fusion Futures programme.
The proposed portfolio of international collaborative projects will be aligned to a broader programme of digital innovation and development across UKAEA and the wider UK ecosystem. Projects will form an integral part of that wider programme, contributing key capabilities to accelerate development and improve affordability.
Programme Objectives
- Ensure that the UK gains access to world-leading research into digital capabilities that can form an integral part of a broader programme of capability research and development needed to achieve UKAEA’s ambitions for fusion energy commercialisation.
- Establish a means by which the UK’s fusion research and industrial community will be able to influence the direction of international research into digital technologies as well as securing the opportunity to participate in development programmes.
- Provide a cost-effective way to gain access to emerging digital capabilities whilst accelerating the ability to deploy such technologies into fusion powerplant development processes here in the UK.
- Exploit strategic collaborations to drive knowledge and skills transfer into UK fusion and adjacent sectors.
Programme Deliverables
- Deliver enhanced engineering simulation capabilities. Through the exploration and trial of available open-source tools we shall establish tested and validated means of simulating challenging aspects of a fusion machine. Of particular focus is ensuring that the delivered methodologies can be applied to a full-scale fusion machine and integrated into a digital twin model of a fusion machine.
- Deliver the ability to utilise exascale computing power to accelerate engineering simulations, materials modelling and to analyse operational data. Enabling the ability to create a real time digital twin of a fusion machine.
- Deliver enhanced materials modelling capabilities. The application of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Exascale computing power for materials modelling shall be explored. Tools and methodology shall be delivered accelerating the fusion communities understanding of material operational performance.
- Deliver enhanced machine control techniques, enabling the utilisation of intelligent control systems equipped to respond quickly to accident scenarios.
- Deliver a fusion specific AI Foundation Model Architecture ready to be used as a means to enhance engineering simulations, materials modelling and machine control capabilities.
- Deliver a working digital twin of an existing experimental facility. Demonstrating the benefits of having a digital twin. Along with delivering documented processes and procedures to enable the creation of future digital twin models.
- The publication and presentation of key scientific and engineering enhancements in both fusion and related conferences and forums.
Identified Benefits of the Programme
Key benefits include:
- Risk reduction: The capabilities developed will support accurate, trusted (i.e. “actionable”) simulation of fusion powerplant systems, enabling designers to manage risk and optimise designs more effectively (e.g. using the transformative power of AI).
- Accelerated delivery: The systems and simulations will enable rapid, cooperative exploration and assessment of design options.
- Supply chain growth: The digital toolset enabled by this programme will democratise capability across the supply chain by enhancing integration and providing an innovative, affordable means for simulation and design space exploration.
- Knowledge transfer: UKAEA and key partners will disseminate information and knowledge via a range of mechanisms, up-skilling the UK supply chain.
How external parties can get involved
External bodies – whether they are international organizations, private companies, research institutes, universities, or government agencies — could get involved in international fusion energy research through any of the following methods:
- Open Data and Knowledge Sharing: by sharing research data, participating in joint publications, and collaborating on simulation models.
- Funding Mechanisms and International Grants: by contributing financially or receiving international funding to support fusion research.
- Bilateral and Multilateral Commercial Agreements: these agreements would enable external bodies participate in joint experiments, technology exchanges, and workforce development. These agreements could also trigger partnership initiatives that would facilitate technology development, innovation, and commercialization.
