A researcher for the Culham-based UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has received £1.5 million to further his work which could support sustainable commercial fusion technology in the UK.

Dr Lloyd Fletcher, who works at UKAEA’s fusion technology facility in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, received a fellowship from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for a project to develop a new computer-aided qualification framework called Computer Aided Validation.

This project aims to aid engineers in validating the design of new technologies, including future fusion powerplants.

Upon completion, the framework could be used on a variety of low carbon engineering solutions, supporting the advancement of sustainable commercial fusion technology in the UK.

Dr Fletcher said: "I’m excited to receive this fellowship.

"This project aims to deliver a valuable tool for digital design teams, and I look forward to building the research team."

The funding for the fellowship comes from the £104 million Future Leaders Fellowships pool, awarded to 68 promising leaders.

Mike Gorley, director of fusion technology at UKAEA, said: "We are delighted for Lloyd to have received this fellowship, UKAEA’s first Future Leaders Fellowship.

"The project has potential to make real impact on the commercialisation of fusion energy."

Dr Fletcher’s research will be supported with the £1.5m funding through the Fellowship, alongside additional in-kind support from UKAEA.

UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships provide funding to researchers and innovators around the UK to commercialise their innovations and lead research into global issues such as energy, environmental and climate issues.