Good News from Mon, 07 June, 2010:

Finnish expertise contributes to global fusion energy research

© ITER Organization VTT and Tampere University of Technology are responsible for developing the maintenance systems for the most critical components of the fusion plant to be built in Cadarache, France.
Technical Research Centre of Finland VTT and Tampere University of Technology take part in the global ITER-project, which has been claimed to be the world’s most challenging energy project. In addition to the EU, Japan, USA, Russia, China, India and South Korea are also participating in the 13-year project.

ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project is a long-term test, which seeks to prove that fusion is a technically and economically viable energy source.

Finnish expertise has a significant role in the international ITER project. Developing the maintenance systems for the most critical components of the fusion plant to be built in Cadarache, France is the responsibility of VTT and Tampere University of Technology. A testing and development centre for the maintenance systems for the Tokamak-reactor was established in Tampere in 2009. Also other Finnish academies are involved in the ITER-project.

- Thus far, we have been able to use a transport robot to move a ten-tonne reactor element along a desired route at an accuracy of around one millimetre, and position the cassette in the reactor at a similar level of accuracy. Mechanical flexing in various situations can be compensated so well by the controls that one millimetre accuracy is achievable. The flexing can also be displayed to the operator using a virtual model that matches reality, says Acting Research Professor Mikko Siuko from VTT.

Tampere-based research in the field of fusion energy is enhanced by virtual technology. Remote operation and virtual technologies play a central role in the maintenance of the ITER reactor. Experiences with the remote system for the maintenance of the reactor have been encouraging. The equipment is being developed and tested using virtual models before the actual prototypes are built. Using augmented reality techniques, parts modelled using a computer or other information can be inserted into the camera image, and the modelled equipment or structure can be viewed in its final operating environment.

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