Conceptual Design and Industrial Challenges of a Cryogenic Plant for STEP Prototype Fusion Power Plant

Abstract The UK Government’s Fusion Strategy has led to STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) project. The programme will build a prototype fusion energy plant at West Burton in Nottinghamshire, targeting operations in the 2040s. This prototypic fusion power plant will also house a novel cryoplant to supply cooling power for its large refrigeration loads at various cryogenic temperatures, around 80 K, 50 K and 15 K. The refrigeration load is likely to be equivalent to around 100 kW at 4.5 K. In this work, we present an early cryoplant concept design developed in collaboration with CHART Industries, USA, and highlight some challenges facing the future cryogenics industry in the context of fusion energy.