1st–2nd October 2026 · Aix-en-Provence and Cadarache, France
What does the energy supply of the future look like and what role can nuclear fusion play? Hardly any research project embodies this question more impressively than ITER in Cadarache in southern France. From October 1 to 2, 2026, the „Innovation Days of Energy Technology“ study trip of the Working Group Industry and Economy (AIW) of the German Physical Society, in cooperation with the Nuclear Technical Society (KTG), took around 40 participants to southern France. The trip combined high-quality professional exchange with the rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s most important large-scale fusion research projects directly on site.
The participant field reflected the bridging function of the DPG and KTG: Students and PhD candidates met experienced professionals from universities, research institutions, and industry. This very exchange across career and institutional boundaries was an essential component of the excursion; in addition to the scientific and technical insights, the two days offered ample space for personal conversations, new contacts, and potential collaborations.
Day 1: Southern French Flair and Scientific Insights
The excursion began on the afternoon of October 1 at the train station in Aix-en-Provence. With temperatures in late summer, the group first took a two-hour city tour to get acquainted with the historic old town. At the same time, the joint start provided an opportunity to make initial contacts and engage in conversation, before the professional program began in the afternoon.
At the Schuman Campus of the Aix-Marseille University, participants were greeted by a series of English-language lectures in the Espace Multimédia. They shed light on nuclear fusion and its integration into the energy system from different perspectives, ranging from the French research landscape to the European energy market.
- Dr. Yann Camenen (French Research Federation on Magnetic Fusion) The lecture series opened with an overview of current activities and future perspectives in magnetic fusion research in France.
- Dr. Xavier Litaudon (CEA) This deepened this insight and presented strategic research approaches and programs of the French Atomic Energy Commission in the field of nuclear fusion.
- Dr. Nico Vollmer (Alpiq) The conference introduced the industrial perspective and highlighted the role of nuclear energy in a changing European energy market from Switzerland’s perspective.
The intensive first day concluded with a joint dinner at the traditional restaurant Le Cintra in the heart of Aix-en-Provence. Throughout the evening, the insights from the presentations were discussed, networks were built, and possible collaborations between industry and academic research were explored.
Day 2: ITER – fusion research on the scale of an international mega-project
The second day was entirely dedicated to ITER. In the early morning, a bus brought the travel group from Aix-en-Provence to the ITER site in Cadarache. There, the DPG delegation was received by Construction Manager Ingo Kühn.
The official welcome was given by Deepti Choubey, Head of ITER Communication. Subsequently, Richard Pitts, Section Leader Experiments & Plasma Control, introduced the group to the overall project and the challenges of plasma control. Two further contributions deepened key technical issues related to plant operation:
- Dr. Uron Krüzi (Project Engineer) He explained the functioning of the Disruption Mitigation System. This system is of central importance for protecting the plant against the consequences of plasmid instabilities.
- Dr. Axel Winter (Deputy Program Manager) provided insights into the complex systems for operating and data control of the facility (ITER Operation and Data Control).
After lunch in the ITER canteen, the highlight of the excursion followed: a tour of the construction site lasting about an hour and a half. The participants had the rare opportunity to experience the dimensions of the tokamak complex firsthand and gain insights into the interplay of its central components. In particular, the scale of the superconducting magnetic systems, the cryostat, and the vacuum chamber made clear the scientific, technical, and organizational challenges associated with ITER.
The technical tour was complemented in the afternoon by the lecture „The Big Nothing – ITER’s Vacuum System“ by Dr. Georg Hulla (Vacuum & Cryopumping Engineer). He illustrated the extraordinary requirements for vacuum and cryopump technology and thus provided an exemplary demonstration of how many highly specialized technologies must be combined to operate a fusion plant.
Exchange, networking and a common focus on the future
Around 6 p.m., the bus returned to Aix-en-Provence and with that the official program came to an end. However, the exchange continued: In smaller groups, numerous participants ended the evening with a shared meal and took the opportunity to reflect on the impressions of the past two days.
The excursion impressively demonstrated the added value that the immediate experience of major research offers. Lectures and technical discussions conveyed a depth of expertise; the visit to the ITER construction site also provided a sense of the scale and complexity of an international project that combines science, engineering, and industrial value creation in an extraordinary way. Equally important was the personal exchange between different generations and professional backgrounds – it is precisely at this intersection that the AIW sees itself as a bridge between physics and industrial practice.
Special thanks go to all the speakers and the organizers at ITER and the Aix-Marseille University, who made the program possible with their contributions and support. We also thank all the participants for the engaged discussions and the open exchange of ideas.
The organization of the study tour abroad was handled by Dr. John Kettler and Jan Wiesenmüller. Thanks to the intensive preparation, the coordination with the partners on the ground, and the joint organization of the trip, an ambitious two-day program was realized that combined professional insights, personal encounters, and an exceptional insight into international fusion research.
Next year, the AIW will once again host an international excursion, which this time will visit companies from the aerospace industry and research institutions associated with space, in line with the theme of the 2027 Science Year. Preliminary preparations have already begun.
Author: Dr. John Kettler
Co-authors: Dr. Hans-Georg Grothues, Dr. Silke Spitzer, Jan Wiesenmüller
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