Tokamak Energy will represent the UK and fusion energy industry at next week’s Hack Osaka 2023 exhibition after an inspiring Dragons’ Den-style pitch to Japanese judges.
The company has been invited by Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) to introduce its route to clean, limitless, low-cost fusion power at the global event on Tuesday, February 21.
Hack Osaka ‘Startup Showcase’, featuring around 40 Japanese and international companies (including from France, Germany, China and USA), will focus on an “abundant, secure and sustainable” future society through various fields, including clean technologies.
Oxford-based Tokamak Energy, founded in 2009, aims to demonstrate grid-ready power by the early 2030s and recently announced it will build its next device, ST80-HTS, at UK Atomic Energy Authority’s Culham Campus.
Thomas Anderson, Tokamak Energy’s Business Development Manager, said: “We’re honoured to be selected as the only UK and fusion energy company attending Hack Osaka Startup Showcase. We look forward to building new relationships in support of our mission to make fusion an available solution to the world’s renewable energy needs.
“There is clear global demand to decarbonise grids faster. We believe our fusion technology, which combines spherical tokamaks with high temperature superconducting magnets, is the optimal route to mitigate climate change and provide energy security for the benefit of all humankind.”
Mr Kentaro Nagao, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “Fusion power generation is a very important theme for Japan, which is aiming for carbon zero like the UK. Tokamak Energy was selected as an exhibitor because it contributes to the practical application of fusion power generation and contributes to solving social issues in Japan and Osaka.
“The audience who heard the pitch by Tokamak Energy found high expectations for the practical application of the company’s technology.”
Tokamak Energy’s invitation comes at a time of growing collaboration on science and innovation between the UK and Japan. Science Minister George Freeman outlined his commitment to work on open joint research programmes during a speech at a Times Higher Education Live! event in Tokyo in December.
Hack Osaka 2023 Startup Showcase is a booth-style exhibition for up-and-coming companies developing products and services based on various technologies. It takes place at the National Capital Congress Convention Center in Osaka, the largest city in western Japan with a concentration of companies in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing. For more information visit www.innovation-osaka.jp/hackosaka/en/