The massive civil engineering required to build the world's largest fusion reactor
Building the ITER fusion reactor in France requires unprecedented scales of earthwork, steel, and concrete. This video provides a civil engineer's perspective on the monumental construction efforts behind this $28 billion megaproject.
While the complex physics of superconducting coils and breeder blankets often take center stage, the ITER project is a triumph of large-scale construction. The International Fusion Energy Project involves assembling massive magnetic coils into toroidal magnets to facilitate fusion.
The scale of the undertaking is reflected in its $28 billion cost. Although the final magnetic coil has been installed, the timeline for operation has shifted significantly. Originally intended for a first full test in 2020, scientists now project the reactor will not fire until 2039 at the earliest.
Source: Engineering The Largest Nuclear Fusion Reactor
