Sikla has successfully supplied modular cable supports to the ITER project in Cadarache, France to be one of the world’s most advanced and ambitious energy research initiatives. ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) aims to harness thermonuclear fusion, to be a safe, sustainable and renewable energy source.
The specially designed Tokamak reactor will produce fusion plasma and is estimated to deliver ten times more energy than is required for heating. ITER represents a landmark international collaboration project with the European Union, Unites States, China, Russia, India, Japan and South Korea.
During the construction of the ancillary buildings around the Tokamak, in 2017 Sikla initiated involvement in the project to design modular steel supports for cable duct installations across several buildings. Through cross-border collaboration between Sikla Hispania and Sikla France, the stringent technical and regulatory requirements of a project of this magnitude were successfully achieved. From the outset, both teams worked in unison to deliver complex specifications and develop bespoke solutions tailored to the unique demands of the project.
Bespoke siFramo solution used for cable systems
Given the critical nature of the investor’s control and monitoring functions, the project required uncompromising adherence to quality standards in both design and regulatory compliance. This necessitated exceptional precision and reliability in all structural calculations.
Sikla Engineering services successfully met ITER’s requirements, a critical achievement that laid foundation for continued collaboration. The project demanded exceptional speed, rigorous design standards for static verification to accelerated delivery and installation timelines. These factors led ITER Cabling Systems Management to select siFramo, Sikla’s modular steel system, for tender.
siFramo’s innovative self forming screw for all connections, significantly streamlined installation by only requiring a single screw type of screw for all connections. This simplified logistics reduce the installation time without compromising on structural integrity.
Due to the flexibility of siFramo, millimetre-precise adjustments could be made on site, as was demonstrated in the Tokamak building. In addition, the use of siFramo delivered measurable cost efficiencies due to its reduced weight compared to traditional framing systems, lowering both material and handing costs.
‘’As part of the ITER project, we greatly appreciated the technical support and tailor-made solutions provided by Sikla’s engineering team for the various support systems for cable ducts and pipelines. Sikla was responsible for the calculations and preparation of reports for the seismic qualification of its siFramo support system. The results were extremely satisfactory. Sikla is seen as a strategic partner in the construction of the nuclear reactor and the associated ancillary building.’’
David Beltran, ITER Organisation Project Leader SSEN and Cable Systems Project
siFramo cable supports installed onsite
Interesting facts
- A total of over 8,000 TKO F support brackets were installed.
- Easy-to-install with One-Screw Technology. More than 100,000 FLS F self-forming screws were used.
- Over 17 km of tunnels were installed for high-voltage cables.
- Sikla provided around 2,000 hours of on-site engineering and technical support.
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