VATIAC

The Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) has awarded Lot 1 of the Pre-Commercial Public Procurement (CPP) contract for the development of innovative solutions in the validation of systems and materials in fusion energy (DONES) to the joint venture (UTE) HACES-DONES, formed by EDAIR TECHNOLOGIES S.L., ANTEC MAGNETS, S.L.U., SUPRASYS, S.L., COMMTIA SYSTEMS S.A., HI-IBERIA INGENIERIA Y PROYECTOS S.L., and EMPRESARIOS AGRUPADOS INTERNACIONAL, S.A. This contract (VATIAC), led by EAI, focuses on the technological validation of high-intensity hadron accelerator systems for the IFMIF-DONES project (International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility – DEMO-Oriented Neutron Source).

Located in Granada, IFMIF-DONES is a scientific infrastructure designed to support the development of nuclear fusion energy, a clean, safe, and sustainable energy source. Its main objective is to test and evaluate advanced materials capable of withstanding the extreme conditions inside a fusion reactor, such as high temperatures and high radiation doses. Through this initiative, the behavior of materials under neutron radiation in an environment similar to that of a fusion reactor will be assessed. Its development aims to prepare the next generation of fusion reactors, such as DEMO (Demonstration Power Plant), the intermediate step before commercial reactors.

The VATIAC contract scope includes the design, manufacturing, assembly, and testing of a validation system, comprising: line of transport of high energy (HEBT), line of transport of medium energy (MEBT), radiofrequency power system (RFPS), test bench or DPLATE, auxiliary systems, central control system (ICS), and operability assessment (RAMI).

EAG’s scope of work consists of:

• Management of the joint venture, general coordination, financial management, and control.
• Manufacturing design of:
• Components interfacing with auxiliary systems, mechanical supports, and vacuum chambers of the MEBT.
• Components interfacing with auxiliary systems, mechanical supports, ionizing radiation shielding components, and vacuum chambers of the HEBT.
• Components interfacing with auxiliary systems, mechanical supports, and vacuum chambers of the DPLATE.
• Other auxiliary systems: vacuum, water cooling, gas supply (compressed air).
• Central control system for all systems (ICS).
• Machine Protection System (MPS).
• RAMI evaluation.

The contract is structured into three phases:

Phase I, manufacturing design, with a duration of 9 months, officially started on 13/01/2025.

Phase II, validator manufacturing, will last 24 months.

Phase III, validator testing, will be carried out over 7 months.

The total awarded budget is €26,255,000.

The contract is co-financed by CDTI and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021-2027.