We are working with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the UK Government body responsible for the development of fusion energy, to host an industry preview event for a proposed High-Temperature Superconductivity Centre of Excellence.
Held at UKAEA's Culham Campus in Oxfordshire, the event brought together representatives from government, industry, and academia, including the UK and Japanese governments.
The new Centre is designed to help turn cutting-edge research into practical technologies to power the next generation of fusion energy systems.
A vision to harness fusion energy
Fusion energy, the potential method of electric power generation from heat released by nuclear fusion reactions, is a research strength for Durham.
It offers the promise of safe, low-carbon energy with no long-lived radioactive waste.
However, making fusion power commercially viable requires powerful magnets built using advanced superconducting materials.
The proposed Centre will focus on developing and testing these materials so they can be used reliably at scale.
Unique capability in Europe
The planned facility will include specialised equipment capable of testing superconducting components under conditions similar to those inside a fusion power plant. This capability would be unique in Europe.
Speakers at the event, held on Monday 2 March, included Adam Baker, Head of Fusion Policy at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero alongside senior leaders from UKAEA and Durham including Professor Clive Roberts, our Executive Dean in the Faculty of Science.
While fusion is a central driver, the potential impact goes far beyond energy.
High-temperature superconductors could also transform medical imaging, transport electrification and advanced manufacturing.
We already play a leading role in fusion research, contributing to international projects such as ITER and helping to train future experts through national doctoral programmes.
Building partnerships
A key aim of the event was to gather feedback from potential partners and investors.
The Centre is intended to be delivered through public-private collaboration, creating opportunities for businesses across the fusion and magnet supply chains, and delivering on key areas of the UK's industrial strategy.
Panel discussions explored how the UK can strengthen its position as a global leader in superconductivity and fusion technology while being commercially sustainable.
The event marks an important first step towards ensuring the UK leads the way in developing clean energy technologies of the future.
