Fusion Energy

Fusion Energy has the potential to revolutionise the way we create power, using the collision of heavy isotopes to release energy.

Devices and Power Assemblies

To create fusion power, a plasma is generated and confined to temperatures in excess of 100,000,000°C to meet the necessary criteria to generate energy.

Discover how power electronics interact with this technology.

Tokomak designs use strong electromagnets to contain fusion plasma in a stable torus shape. The electromagnets are controlled using powerful, fast switching power electronics to control the electric field and stabilise the plasma.

IGBTs provide the ideal semiconductor to perform this function, with the latest IGBT range of 1700V 1400A half bridge modules providing efficient, high speed switching. These are typically fed from controlled rectifiers, providing a stable DC rail to supply the coil supplies. High power, air cooled controlled rectifier assemblies such as DSS3200BM-B6C-930 are manufactured from Thyristors with optimized losses for grid linked rectifier applications, that provide a highly controllable supply for the switching devices.

Other designs require high pulse power devices, that can deliver extraordinarily large currents over a short period of time. Our long history of providing pulse power devices for traction and HVDC applications placed us in an excellent position to provide wide diameter, fast turn on Thyristors that can meet these challenging requirements, whilst providing a highly reliable platform. The PT85 Pulse Power Thyristors were designed for laboratory experiments, and are now being used to support Fusion Energy research efforts globally.

Dynex has full control of the design and manufacture of our devices, so we are able to work collaboratively with researchers to optimise our devices to suit their application and support their research.

Our Power Assemblies Department can support the design of the whole mechanical arrangement for these converters, providing an electrical, mechanical and thermal design service.

Dynex Power Assemblies provided converter designs to support Fusion Energy efforts around the globe

In 2017 Dynex provided Tokamak Energy with a Merging Compression Power Supply

Merging compression is an efficient and robust method for plasma start-up which can achieve both high plasma current and high temperatures at fusion relevant densities. It involves the formation of plasma around two in-vessel poloidal field coils followed by a magnetic reconnection event after which the plasma can be compressed.

The power supply consisted of:

Current 50kA / Volts 11kV
Fibre optically controlled high voltage Thyristor Stack Assembly
Capacitor bank 30mF/11kV
Mechanically changeable flywheel diode with series resistance for resonance damping

Radial Field Power Supply

In 2014, Dynex provided the Radial Field Power Supply to the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, as part of their MAST (Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak) upgrade.

The power supply consisted of:

Controlled rectifier with fusing and gate drives
DC link capacitor
3 parallel IGBT H bridges with Gate Drives
LV power supplies, relay control and interlocking
High isolation management

This power supply helps manage complex magnetic fields to sustain the plasma, making it a vital part of the fusion energy research.

Dynex Power Assemblies Tokomak-Assembly

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Dynex involved in the development of Fusion Energy?

Dynex is involved in the development of fusion energy by designing and manufacturing power electronics and power assembly systems for fusion research facilities. Dynex has provided converter designs to support fusion energy efforts internationally.

Here are some examples of Dynex's involvement in the development of fusion energy:

Merging Compression Power Supply: In 2017, Dynex provided Tokamak Energy with a Merging Compression Power Supply. Merging compression is a technique for plasma start-up in fusion devices that involves using magnetic reconnection to merge two plasmas. The power supply included a 50kA / 11kV high voltage fibra optically controlled thyristor stack assembly, a 30mF/11kV capacitor bank, and a mechanically changeable flywheel diode.

Radial Field Power Supply: In 2014, Dynex provided the Radial Field Power Supply to the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy for their Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST) upgrade. This power supply is vital for managing the complex magnetic fields required to sustain the plasma. The power supply consisted of a controlled rectifier, a DC link capacitor, three parallel IGBT H bridges, LV power supplies, relay control and interlocking, and high isolation management.

Dynex also manufactures a variety of other products that are used in fusion energy applications, including:

Thyristor Discs: These are used for phase control in applications up to 8500V.

Asymmetric Bypass Thyristors: Dynex manufactures Asymmetric Bypass Thyristors.

Pulse Power Thyristors: These deliver extremely high currents over a short time. Dynex PT85 Pulse Power Thyristors are used to support fusion energy research.

Gate Turn Off Thyristors: These are available in voltages up to 4500V.

IGBT Modules: Both low voltage (up to 1700V) and high voltage (up to 6500V) IGBT modules are manufactured by Dynex. IGBTs are ideal for high speed switching applications.

FRD Modules: Modules in voltages up to 6500V.

Diode Discs: Dynex produces a variety of rectifier diodes in voltages up to 9000V, as well as fast recovery diodes.

Dynex has the ability to work directly with researchers to optimize their designs and support their research. Dynex can also provide a complete electrical, mechanical and thermal design service for power converters through their Power Assemblies department.

What are the different applications of power electronics in the field of fusion energy?

Power electronics are used in fusion energy to generate a plasma and confine it at extremely high temperatures. Here are some specific applications of power electronics in fusion energy:

- Electromagnet Control in Tokomak Designs: Tokomak designs utilize powerful electromagnets to contain fusion plasma in a stable torus shape. These electromagnets are controlled by power electronics, such as high-speed switching devices and controlled rectifiers, to regulate the electric field and stabilize the plasma.

- Plasma Start-Up through Merging Compression: Merging compression is a technique used for plasma start-up in fusion devices. This method employs power electronics in a power supply system that includes components like a high-voltage thyristor stack assembly, a capacitor bank, and a flywheel diode with series resistance.

- Radial Field Power Supply: Fusion devices also rely on a Radial Field Power Supply to maintain the plasma. This power supply system incorporates power electronics like controlled rectifiers, IGBT H bridges with gate drives, and LV power supplies.

These are just a few examples of how power electronics are utilized in fusion energy. The specific types of power electronics used include:

IGBTs: These are ideal for controlling electromagnets in Tokomak designs due to their efficient, high-speed switching capabilities.

Controlled Rectifiers: These provide a stable DC rail to supply the coil supplies in Tokomak designs. They are also used in Radial Field Power Supplies.

High Power, Air Cooled Controlled Rectifier Assemblies: These are manufactured from thyristors with optimized losses for grid-linked rectifier applications.

Pulse Power Thyristors: These deliver large currents over short periods and are used in other fusion designs.

Dynex designs and manufactures power electronics for fusion energy applications. Dynex have provided converter designs to support Fusion Energy efforts around the globe. We provided Tokamak Energy with a Merging Compression Power Supply in 2017. We also provided the Radial Field Power Supply to the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, as part of their MAST (Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak) upgrade in 2014.