J5 Reactive Power Compensation Compound Decommissioning

Decommissioning and Repurposing:

Under the agreement to host the JET machine, when JET finishes operations, the UK retains responsibility for decommissioning the machine and associated facilities. In 2022 the JET Decommissioning and Repurposing programme within UKAEA was set up to review the JET decommissioning plan and identify whether modern technologies and methodologies can be used to decommission smarter, quicker, cheaper, and safer. It was also decided to review alternative end of life scenarios to repurpose plant, equipment, and facilities thereby promoting sustainability and aiding other research and development programmes both domestically and internationally.

J5 Reactive Power Compensation Compound:

The J5 Reactive Power Compensation (RPC) compound, shown in Figure 1, is a legacy facility located in the northern area of the Culham Science Campus. Operating from early 1990s to 2012 the purpose of the J5 RPC system (external compound and internal network) was to avoid causing disturbances to the 400kV National Grid supply as a result of large power pulses on site.

The RPC compound has been left in a quiescent state since it was disconnected from the Joint European Torus power supplies and mothballed.

The J5 RPC compound contains high voltage, low voltage, and extra low voltage electrical equipment including resistors, capacitors (624 high voltage oil filled capacitors to be exact), inductors, and surge arresters along with cable and busbar systems.