The Minister of University, Research, and Innovation, José Carlos Gómez Villamandos, has visited the UGR-DONES research center and highlighted its essential contribution to the IFMIF-DONES particle accelerator, with which it is directly linked. In this scientific-technical space, belonging to the University of Granada and located in the Industrial and Technological Metropolitan Park of Escúzar (Granada), the Andalusian Government has invested 14.46 million euros.
The center, which is operational, conducts excellent R&D support for this strategic infrastructure, as well as energy innovation and new materials development. Furthermore, the facilities have been designed with the aim of bringing together research groups from different areas: physics, chemistry, materials science, or computer science, to develop projects to enhance knowledge generation and optimize the use of IFMIF-DONES.
Gómez Villamandos has emphasized that «this complementary installation to the IFMIF-DONES project will have significant relevance for both the scientific community and the technological and economic development of the region,» while expressing confidence that «it will help make Granada an undisputed benchmark of talent, research, and innovation.»
Of the total amount allocated by the Ministry of University to this infrastructure, from the FEDER Andalusia 2021-2027 program, a total of 7.9 million euros have been allocated to the construction of the complex and 6.56 million to equipment, software acquisition, and personnel. This regional injection is part of the agreement signed by the Andalusian Government with the academic institution at the end of 2021 and has been gradually transferred by the regional government.
The complex consists of four buildings: the first is intended to house large prototypes and laboratories, the second is designed for the installation of research support workshops, the third, which is versatile and modular, allows for alternating between laboratories, meeting rooms, and offices, and the fourth volume, isolated from the rest, is used for offices, meeting rooms, and control rooms. Several significant prototypes have already been installed in the center, two of them from the UGR and one from the Center for Energy, Environmental, and Technological Research (CIEMAT). The installation of a modern Mechatronics laboratory is also planned. With this equipment, areas of R&D related to liquid metals, analysis of accidents in particle accelerators, and radiation sensor characterization are expected to be developed.
The center is built on a plot of about 4,500 square meters, the purchase of which was financed by the regional government, and is located adjacent to the accelerator grounds. Currently, around 40 people work in the complex, most of them belonging to IFMIF-DONES.
Commitment to IFMIF-DONES
Likewise, the Minister of University has once again reiterated the regional government’s commitment to the implementation of IFMIF-DONES, to which Andalusia estimates contributing 107 million euros by 2027, from both its own funds and the FEDER Andalusia 2021-2027 Financing Framework. This amount will also be increased to 211 million euros by 2034, an amount that must also be allocated by the Ministry of Science during the same period.
Overall, Spain envisages a total allocation for the particle accelerator of 422.50 million euros by 2034, divided equally between both administrations. Of this total, 376.72 million will be allocated to investments and 45.79 million to current expenses, personnel, etc.
The construction of the accelerator will involve a total investment of 700 million euros and will be built with in-kind contributions from participating countries and international institutions. Spain is the driving force and host of the infrastructure.
Andalusia, an international reference in the search for clean energy
The IFMIF-DONES particle accelerator, to be built in the town of Escúzar in Granada, has the main mission of testing, validating, and qualifying the materials to be used in future nuclear fusion power plants. This facility represents an opportunity to make the community a national and international reference in knowledge and research, especially in the search for clean and unlimited energy sources. Likewise, the deployment of synergies and knowledge transfer it entails will enable the business fabric of Granada and Andalusia to apply new technological developments in other areas such as basic physics, medicine, astrophysics, or even industry.
This scientific facility will have a multiplying effect on both the economic development of the province of Granada and the region, as well as on its business and technological ecosystem. The University of Granada conducted a study on the socio-economic impact associated with its implementation, which established that Andalusia will see an increase in the production of goods and services by more than 4.000 million euros, and the generation of jobs, both direct and indirect, by more than 1.000 per year during all phases of the initiative, while the GVA will increase by 1.800 million.