UK Fusion Energy Ltd, the organisation delivering the UK’s first prototype fusion energy plant, has signed a £30 million contract with software development company, Dassault Systèmes, to expand delivery and capability within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, a core part of STEP’s Plant Information Management System (PIMS).
This marks a significant milestone in the creation of the information baseline for the STEP Prototype Fusion Powerplant at West Burton, supporting the management of plant information across the entire engineering and product lifecycle.
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform will give STEP a single, trusted source of plant information, where technical teams and partners can design data, requirements, simulations and system models in one shared environment. This will improve engineering accuracy, reduce risk and support the smooth delivery of Britain’s first prototype fusion powerplant.
The platform will also lay the foundations for the digital shadows and twins of the plant. This will enable engineers to model, test and optimise systems in a virtual environment both before physical constructions and throughout the plant’s lifecycle.
PIMS will also strengthen collaboration with partners across industry and academia, helping the UK build the capability required for future commercial fusion energy.
Debbie Kempton, Director of Engineering Programme at UK Fusion Energy Ltd, said:
“This agreement marks an important milestone in the evolution of the information baseline for the STEP Prototype Fusion Powerplant at West Burton. PIMS, powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, will play a critical role in creating the blueprint for future fusion powerplants while enabling fast, efficient and rigorous engineering delivery. The STEP Programme is pleased to continue its collaboration with Dassault Systèmes as we work together towards the future of fusion energy.”
Patricia Verrier, Head of Engineering – Computing, Modelling and Simulation at UK Fusion Energy Ltd, said:
“The 3DEXPERIENCE platform will provide the digital capability needed to deliver STEP ambition, giving us the clarity, confidence and traceability required for a project of this scale and importance.
PIMS will provide a unified environment where every decision, requirement, model and simulation is connected. It will transform the way STEP Fusion designs, integrates and governs the prototype powerplant.”
John Turnbull, EURONORTH Managing Director at Dassault Systèmes, said:
“As we begin the journey towards a virtual twin for STEP using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, UKFE is building the digital engineering foundations that will support the development of future fusion powerplants. This collaboration will help strengthen innovation and collaboration as the STEP prototype fusion powerplant progresses.”
The agreement strengthens the digital engineering foundations for the STEP programme, helping ensure that plant information, engineering decisions and system designs remain fully connected throughout the lifecycle of the prototype powerplant. It also reinforces the UK’s ambition to lead the development of commercial fusion energy.
