Fusion Energy
FAST Project
Safe, secure, and clean energy is crucial for sustaining humanity's growing energy demand.
We propose to achieve this with fusion energy, paving the way to obtain new energy for the future.
FAST (Fusion by Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) Project will accelerate the way forward to a clean energy future by demonstrating electricity generation by the 2030s, via a tokamak approach.*
*Demonstration of electricity generation: Heat extracted from the blanket is used to produce 10 MW of electricity (enough for 20,000 households) using a generator. Approximately 2,500 kWh can be produced in 15 minutes.
What is FAST?
FAST is the world's first initiative to extract fusion energy from a plasma while integratively demonstrating plasma sustainment and addressing engineering challenges. The project aims to achieve the demonstration of fusion energy power generation by the 2030s.
FAST seeks to comprehensively solve the various technical challenges (gaps) necessary to transition fusion energy from the experimental stage to a fully functional energy system.
FAST includes achieving a sustained burning plasma, extracting and converting energy, demonstrating a tritium fuel cycle, and ensuring system integration and safety.
About
Fusion Energy
Fusion energy is what gives the stars their seemingly limitless power.
A single fusion reaction between deuterium (D) and tritium (T) releases 17.6 MeV of energy, which is an enormous amount when added up over time.
Deuterium can be extracted from seawater, and tritium can be self-multiplied, giving it geopolitical advantages of securing fuel domestically. Because no greenhouse gas is contained in the fuel or exhaust, it also contributes to a carbon-neutral society.
Since fusion energy does not produce high concentrations of radioactive waste, there is optimism for its development as a permanent next-generation energy source.
Why Tokamak?
About FAST
Compact and economical
By choosing to use the high-temperature superconducting (HTS) coils and selecting the low aspect ratio tokamak, it becomes possible to generate high-pressure plasmas in a compact size compared to more conventional, larger tokamaks. Reducing the device size also helps to lower manufacturing times and costs.
FAST with the Community
FAST will be built at a location selected after a public call for domestic implementation sites. In cooperation with the local community, we will advance future-oriented energy development and facilitate new academic breakthroughs.
Incorporation of new technologies
This device will operate using novel technologies such as HTS coils, new low-activation materials, and deuterium production from seawater. FAST will be carried out in collaboratioon with a wide range of partners in the public and private sectors, both domestically and internationally.
Ripple Effect
FAST is an apparatus designed to conduct comprehensive technical testing related to fusion plasmas and energy generation. It will contribute not only to the development of prototypes in Japan, but also to the safe and accelerated advancement of various fusion approaches around the world.
Specification of FAST
FAST is a low aspect-ratio tokamak with HTS coils, making it a compact, economical Fusion Pilot Plant. This design will have the following specifications, which will inform the development tests necessary for early deployment.
D-T fusion reaction
50 – 100 MW
Neutron wall loading
300 – 1,000 kW/m^2
Discharge duration
1,000 sec
Cumulative full-power operation time
1,000 hr
Schedule
FAST aims to demonstrate electricity generation by fusion in the 2030s.
Organization
FAST is a private-sector-led industry-academia collaboration, developed in cooperation with fusion experts from Japan and abroad.
A researcher-led team will be organized to handle design, planning, and operation, advancing the project in collaboration with both domestic and international researchers specializing in plasma physics and fusion reactor engineering.
To carry out the project, led by Kyoto Fusioneering, we will collaborate with industry partners—including real estate, construction, and trading companies as well as EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) manufacturers such as Mitsui & Co., Mitsui Fudosan, Mitsubishi Corporation, Marubeni Corporation, Kajima Corporation, and Fujikura Ltd. Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. - along with international partners from the US, UK, and Canada.
Key Researchers Involved
University of Tokyo
Prof. Akira Ejiri
Tohoku University
Prof. Yuji Hatano
Institute of Science Tokyo
Associate Prof. Hiroaki Tsutsui
Kyoto University
Prof. Hitoshi Tanaka
Kyoto Fusioneering
Prof. Satoshi Konishi
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (US)
Dr. Masayuki Ono
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (Canada)
Dr. Sam Suppiah
Tohoku University
Prof. Kenji Tobita
University of Tokyo
Prof. Ono Yasushi
Nagoya University
Prof. Takaaki Fujita
Kyushu University
Prof. Kazuaki Hanada
Tokamak Energy (UK)
Prof. Yuichi Takase
General Atomics (US)
Dr. Brian Grierson
Fusion Fuel Cycles (Canada)
Dr. Ian Castillo
Project Leader
