Thesis Work - Fusion energy – Technical challenges for fusion based power production

Are you a student looking to apply your knowledge to real-world solutions that support the energy transition? With us, you will have the opportunity to complete your thesis project close to the business, working alongside experienced specialists and tackling challenges where your ideas and perspectives can make a real difference.
About the Thesis Work
At Vattenfall R&D and the Section Energy Systems & Processes we actively work to enable society’s energy transition. Our work covers a broad range of topics, from energy system analysis and evaluation of new fossil-free production technologies to fossil-free materials and analyses of the value chains required to make the transition happen.
Fusion energy has been a research field funded by public research programs for decades, often through international consortia and with long development horizons. In recent years, however, a clear shift has emerged. Numerous private fusion companies have been established, primarily financed through private capital, with strong expectations of rapid technological progress and commercialization of fusion power. For Vattenfall, it is important to understand both the opportunities and challenges associated with this technology in order to assess what is required for commercial fusion power to become a reality.
The purpose of this thesis project is to take a deep dive into some of the technical challenges that must be solved to enable commercial fusion power production. Two suggested focus areas are:
Fuel injection. How can fuel be supplied to the reactor in a way that sustains a fusion reaction capable of delivering sufficient energy production over time?
Energy extraction. How can the energy released from fusion plasma be extracted and converted into electricity generation?
The objective of the thesis work is to identify the most promising technical solutions based on publicly available information, analyze and assess their technical maturity, and evaluate what will be required for successful implementation. The study should include simplified energy and process calculations.
The assignment is for one student.
We are looking for a student who are about to complete their academic studies and are eager to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting through a thesis project at Vattenfall. You are someone who shares our values and identifies with our principles: Active, Open, Positive and Safety.
Education: Master of Science (M.Sc.) student (Civilingenjör in Swedish) in Applied Physics, Chemistry, Energy Systems, or a related field.
Language proficiency: English or Swedish.
Scope: 30 credits.

Employment type
Contract

Work arrangement
No