RH3OVA to deliver services addressing key fuel cycle challenges facing the development of commercial fusion energy

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and, Eni, have formed a joint venture to offer capabilities to the fusion energy sector.

Named RH3OVA [pronounced: Reeova], and incorporated in the UK the joint venture combines the technical and industrial expertise of both partners to deliver specialist consultancy and operational services to the growing global fusion industry.

Fuel cycle technologies represent one of the critical challenges in the pursuit of commercial fusion energy. RH3OVA offers end-to-end services across the fuel lifecycle, from early-stage feasibility studies to deployment and operational support.

Deuterium and tritium are fuels commonly used in fusion energy. Deuterium is abundant in nature and extractable from seawater. In contrast, tritium is extremely rare. It is therefore essential to ensure careful and efficient management throughout the entire fuel cycle, from tritium’s production and use in energy generation to its recovery from exhaust gases and refinement for re-use.

Stephen Wheeler, Executive Director, Tritium Fuel Cycle, UKAEA, said: 
“Having operated the Joint European Torus, which was the world’s most powerful deuterium-tritium fusion machine for more than 40 years, and with 30 years’ experience of tritium operations, the UK is a leader in tritium fuel cycle technology. For fusion to be realised as a commercially viable source of energy, however, this expertise must be scaled beyond the lab. RH3OVA offers best in class digital process models validated with real world, fusion relevant data sets. RH3OVA will combine UKAEA’s scientific and operational know-how, with Eni’s large-scale industrial capability, and leverage this joint expertise to increase knowledge and understanding across the fusion sector.”

Lorenzo Fiorillo, Technology, R&D & Digital Director of Eni, said: 
“Fusion energy has the potential to redefine the global energy landscape, and at Eni we are committed on multiple fronts to turning this potential into tangible industrial progress. Our partnership with UKAEA is of great strategic value to us and represents a further step in scaling up innovation and translating scientific excellence into real-world solutions. Today, with UKAEA, we are continuing our joint commitment for further progress in the fusion energy field, with a particular focus on the fuel cycle for fusion. This builds on our collaboration developing the UKAEA-Eni H3AT Tritium Loop Facility started last year which will be a world-class facility of its kind. At the same time, RH3OVA will respond to the growing demand for specialized technical expertise and integrated engineering services dedicated to the fuel cycle, which will be essential enabling factors for the operation of fusion power plants using deuterium and tritium as fuels.”

RH3OVA’s launch delivers a strategic goal within both the UK’s Fusion Strategy and UKAEA’s organisational strategy. RH3OVA also strengthens the strategic collaboration between Eni and UKAEA and their joint effort to commercialise fusion energy.

Current projects with UKAEA for the commercial development of fusion energy, together with other ongoing initiatives, confirm an increasingly strategic positioning of Eni in this field.