(Andrea Sorrento/CASACOR)
The international design and innovation office CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati and the architect Italo Rota , together with the energy company Eni, present a project dedicated to magnetic confinement fusion, one of the most innovative technologies for the decarbonization of energy systems. The project features a model of a Tokamak reactor, built inside an old gas reservoir in Rome, Italy, to inform visitors about this innovative technology. (Andrea Sorrento/CASACOR)
Presented at Maker Faire Rome , Europe’s leading event for the Maker community, the project is situated on the site of the Gazometro Ostiense , one of the main symbols of the Italian capital’s modern industrial heritage, located just three kilometers southwest of the Colosseum.
Inside a 50-meter-high and 40-meter-wide gasometer, visitors can explore the conceptual model of a Tokamak, a fundamental component in magnetic confinement technology processes. Following an ascending path that embraces the circular structure, one can enter the chamber, which is flooded with an immersive red-lit scenario . There, a series of multimedia contents enhance the sensorial journey and narrate the technology and its ongoing scientific investigations, calling all passers-by to discover them. "We believe that design is a powerful tool to transform a narrative into an experience , allowing visitors to feel the energy while being surrounded by a unique atmosphere," he adds. (Andrea Sorrento/CASACOR)
The project reflects Eni's work on magnetic confinement , which has been growing in recent years through a series of academic collaborations. As the team explains, during the process of magnetic confinement, the fusion of two hydrogen nuclei releases a huge amount of energy . This phenomenon mimics events inside the sun and other stars. What is most beneficial about this technology is that it creates a safe and virtually inexhaustible energy source . During its operation, there are no greenhouse gas emissions , high pollution or highly radioactive substances. Source: Designboom
