F4E meets with Japanese Domestic Agency

F4E and the Japanese Domestic Agency, JADA, held a bilateral meeting in mid-June during which current work and future collaboration projects were discussed. JADA gave an update on the status of their ITER activities, in particular concerning the Divertor, where the Agency is implementing its activities on Divertor Outer Vertical Target procurement as foreseen in its Procurement Arrangement. In parallel, the Japanese Domestic Agency is continuing its R&D efforts on Tungsten Plasma Facing Components. During the meeting, the status of activities concerning the Detritiation System, Diagnostics and Central Solenoid Conductors were also presented. Potential further collaborations between F4E and JADA on components such as the Toroidal Field coils and Neutral Beam Systems were discussed, as well as Quality Assurance Management issues.

F4E presented the results of three market surveys which the organisation has carried out on behalf of JADA in order to assess the technical capabilities and prices for the manufacturing of certain equipments (SF6 gas coolers, Fiber Reinforced Plastic rings, Bushings) in Europe. The equipments are under JADA responsibility but the Domestic Agency is potentially seeking collaborations with European industry for the manufacturing.

During the meeting a common understanding was reached on how to manage the sending and testing of Toroidal Field coils sub-component samples between the two Domestic Agencies. The ensuing agreement, the first of its kind, will define the roles of the two Domestic Agencies in terms of logistics and Intellectual Property management. With the agreement now ready to be finalised, the ambition is to replicate this way of working to other activities of common interest.

The discussion also focused on potential Joint Procurement subjects where it is perhaps possible to lower future procurements costs.