Tours Information

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

The Swiss Plasma Center (SPC) is located at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), about 40 mins by coach from the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Amongst the activities at the SPC is one of the four most important European fusion R&D facilities, with a full medium-sized tokamak. This highly sophisticated device embodies a unique plasma-shaping capability (TCV = Tokamak à Configuration Variable) and can operate at well over 100 million degrees! We will be given the opportunity to watch a series of runs testing plasma control at high temperature and under magnetic fields; exact parameters of the experiments to be carried out at that time are not yet available but will certainly be of interest to anyone interested in how FUSION ENERGY will be made.

Switzerland is very ecologically concerned; the country makes essentially no electricity from fossil fuels – it is 57% hydro, 38% nuclear and 5% waste, solar, wind and other renewables.

Under present planning, both tours will take place on Monday afternoon. Coaches will leave the conference venue at 4 pm and arrive no later than 7 pm for the Welcome Cocktail scheduled for 7:30 pm.