Thailand’s First Artificial Sun Project to begin Operating in 2023

Thailand’s First Artificial Sun Project to Begin Operating in 2023

“The project is expected to be completed and operational in 2023. This technology will help disrupt renewable energy limitations, be a stable, low-priced, clean energy source for Thailand and ASEAN, and it will generate income for the country.”

According to Thailand’s Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) - Thailand’s first Tokamak Device which is a collaborative project between Thailand and China is now ready for operations. After a successful trial in April 2023, the Tokamak project is now ready to start the operations for fusion energy research in July 2023 said the Thai government.

The artificial sun is known publicly in Thailand; it is currently the largest and the first advanced tokamak device with the highest parameters installed in ASEAN Country. The project will provide key technical support for Thailand to achieve high-quality development in nuclear fusion, and green energy initiatives, and become an international platform that Thailand-China join hands with the world in nuclear fusion energy, the agency said.

This mega project for alternative energy is named “Thai Tokamak-1 (TT-1)”, the device was developed by TINT based on the Tokamak HT-6M, provided by the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The Chinese Tokamak HT-6M parts were delivered to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in August 2017, Tokamak parts are to be used for research into high-temperature plasma and fusion energy, which may drive electricity generation for Thailand in the future.

Thai Tokamak-1 is designed to replicate the natural reactions that occur in the sun, and aims to provide clean energy through controlled nuclear fusion. A tokamak is a machine that confines plasma using magnetic fields in a donut shape called a torus. Fusion energy scientists believe that tokamaks are the leading plasma confinement concept for future fusion power plants.

TINT-Thailand said that, in the next ten years, Thailand expects to design and build its own tokamak machine for domestic use, with an aim to make Thailand ASEAN’s hub of fusion technology development. Tokamak technology can also be applied to industrial, automotive, agricultural, and medical science uses.

KV Electronics in Thailand is part of the leading power-source manufacturing members to support the Electrical & Electronics Industry, we praise Thai/Chinese scientists for the co-development of the project and urge them to further their research to create new energy innovations which ensure national energy security in the future as well as to increase Thailand’s competitiveness in science and technology to the world’s standard.

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Image Credit and Source:

South China Morning Post

Royal Thai Government

Institute of Plasma Physics - Chinese Academy of Sciences