Plasma generation with Himmelwerk know-how

Nuclear fusion reactor ITER

This is nothing new – and still a really big thing: Since the beginning of the century, Himmelwerk has been involved in research into generating energy through nuclear fusion.

Initially, we started with several projects in Germany and India. Himmelwerk has been the exclusive supplier of Radio Frequency Power Supplies for ITER since 2012.

ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) is a multiphase international research project which aims to generate energy using nuclear fusion in a nuclear fusion reactor with the aim of ensuring that global energy needs are met, with no dependence on nuclear energy or fossil fuels. The so-called experimental reactor is currently backed by 35 countries worldwide.

3D representation of the ITER nuclear fusion reactor

Plasma generation by induction

During the first two phases of the long-term project, custom-designed Himmelwerk high-frequency generators were put into operation at the laboratory in Padua, Italy. They enable the generation of the plasma. The findings will be used as the basis for a possible future expansion at the Cadarache site in France, where Himmelwerk is also expected to supply the radio frequency power supplies.

ITER’s nuclear fusion reactor is a long-term project that perfectly matches Himmelwerk’s mission: Using technology to improve our lives in the future.

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Since 1950, Himmelwerk has shipped more than 19,000 high and medium frequency converters worldwide.
By how much can you reduce your CO₂ emissions per year? Let’s have a look.

Assumption 1: 25% of your converters are still operational.

Assumption 2: They have an average output of 6 kW and thus a power consumption of 7 kW.

Assumption 3: These generators are operational 8 hrs per day and 5 days per week.

Assumption 4: Inductive heating uses up to 40% less energy than conventional methods. Let’s assume 30%.

With these assumptions, our calculation would look like this: Daily energy consumption: 8 hrs x 7 kW = 56 kW

Energy savings per day: 56 kWh / 0.7 = 80 kWh; 80 – 56 = 24 kWh

Total energy savings per day: 24 kWh x 4,750 converters = 114,000 kWh

Total energy savings per year: 220 working days x 114,000 kWh = 25,080,000 kWh

Conversion factor kWh/CO₂: 1 kWh is equivalent to approx. 0.485 kg of CO₂ (source: German Federal Environmental Agency, Climate Change 15/2022)

CO₂ reduction per year: 25,080,000 kWh x 0.485 kg = 12,163,800 kg