US-based Jacobs has been selected to design and engineer remotely-operated tools for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) under construction at Saint-Paul-les-Durance in southern France. The four-year framework contract with a possible two-year extension covers work on up to 25 diagnostic ports and systems. Jacobs says the project will capitalise on extensive remote-handling experience and knowledge of the diagnostics and port cell areas gained from previous work.

Jacobs Energy, Security & Technology Senior Vice President Karen Wiemelt. "Through our team in Aix-en-Provence, combined with the full strength of Jacobs' global capability, we will work with ITER to channel our technology-enabled knowledge and experience toward benefitting people and the planet."

ITER is a first-of-a-kind global collaboration to construct the world’s largest tokamak based on magnetic confinement technology. It is funded mainly by the European Union (45.6%) with the remainder shared equally by China, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the USA (9.1% each). However, in practice, the members deliver little monetary contribution to the project, instead providing ‘in-kind’ contributions of components, systems or buildings. First plasma was originally scheduled for 2025 but delays caused by Covid-19 and technical issues mean this will now be postponed.

Image courtesy of ITER