VATIAC
The project will develop the technological validator of the IFMIF-DONES accelerator in Granada, an essential infrastructure to advance towards fusion energy by evaluating materials subjected to extreme conditions.
The project will develop the technological validator of the IFMIF-DONES accelerator in Granada, an essential infrastructure to advance towards fusion energy by evaluating materials subjected to extreme conditions.
The Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology and Innovation (CDTI) has awarded the Pre‑Commercial Public Procurement (CPP) contract to the HACES‑DONES Temporary Joint Venture (UTE), formed by EDAIR TECHNOLOGIES S.L., ANTEC MAGNETS S.L.U., SUPRASYS S.L., COMMTIA SYSTEMS S.A., HI‑IBERIA INGENIERÍA Y PROYECTOS S.L., and EMPRESARIOS AGRUPADOS INTERNACIONAL S.A., for the development of the technological validator for high‑intensity hadron accelerator systems within the IFMIF‑DONES project (International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility – DEMO‑Oriented Neutron Source). The corresponding project is named VATIAC (Integrated Technological Validator of Accelerator Systems) and is led by EAI.
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 nuclear fusion reactor, such as high temperatures and high radiation doses. Through this initiative, researchers will assess how materials respond to neutron irradiation generated in an environment similar to that of a fusion reactor. Its development is aimed at preparing the next generation of fusion reactors, such as DEMO (Demonstration Power Plant), the intermediate step before commercial reactors.
The scope of the VATIAC project includes the design, manufacturing, assembly and testing of a validator comprising: the High‑Energy Beam Transport line (HEBT), the Medium‑Energy Beam Transport line (MEBT), the Radiofrequency Power System (RFPS), the test bench or DPLATE, auxiliary systems, the central control system (ICS), and operability assessment (RAMI).
ALTER TECHNOLOGY’s scope of work includes:
• Design and manufacturing of a technological validator for diagnostic electronics for non‑interceptive current monitoring in the DPLATE (1 DCCT) and in the HEBT (4 DCCT units in the main line, 1 DCCT unit in the secondary line, and 4 CWCT units).
• Design and manufacturing of a technological validator for diagnostic electronics for non‑interceptive beam‑profile monitoring in the HEBT (14 units in the main line and 4 units in the secondary line).
• Design and manufacturing of a technological validator for diagnostic electronics for beam‑loss monitoring in the HEBT (16 units in the main line and 3 units in the secondary line).
The project is structured into three phases:
• Phase I, design and manufacturing planning, lasting 9 months, officially began on 13/01/2025.
• Phase II, manufacturing of the validator, will last 24 months.
• Phase III, validator testing, will be carried out over 7 months.
The total awarded budget amounts to €26,255,000.
The contract is co‑funded by CDTI and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021–2027.