CTO Dr Thomas Davis and team pitch compact fusion energy at the Earl of Wessex Future Energy Conference 2021

17 Nov 2021 | News

Oxford Sigma CTO Dr Thomas Davis pitched compact fusion energy with colleagues from Tokamak Energy Ltd, Dr Steven McNamara, and Imperial College London, Dr Samuel Humphry-Baker, at the Earl of Wessex Future Energy Conference 2021 with the attendance of His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

As part of the conference, a competition was held providing an opportunity for young energy professionals, working as a team, to propose ideas for a ‘Future Energy’ or ‘Net Zero’ product, process or policy as well as to offer a unique experience of pitching ideas to an influence Energy Sector audience. The team, Dr Samuel Humphry-Baker, Imperial College London, Dr Steven McNamara, Tokamak Energy, and Dr Thomas Davis, Oxford Sigma, won an award for their pitch entitled “Compact Fusion Power Stations: The Critical Role of Advanced Shielding”.

The pitch drew upon the pioneering collaborative work that Tokamak Energy, Imperial College London, and Oxford Sigma are innovating on novel radiation shielding for spherical tokamak devices to assist the pathway for commercialisation of fusion energy.

It was an honour and privilege to present to HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, on the prospects of compact spherical tokamak fusion energy as a future energy source at the Earl of Wessex Future Energy Conference 2021 hosted by The Worshipful Company of Fuellers. ~ Dr Thomas Davis, CTO Oxford Sigma.

The second Earl of Wessex Conference was hosted by the Worshipful Company of Fuellers on 15th November at the prestigious Royal College of Physicians, Regent’s Park, London.

The first conference, held in November 2019, provided an entertaining and informative day, and was very well received. It was one of the highlights of the year for the Fuellers and a great way for Fuellers to interact with both wider industry and our charity partners.

The conference immediately follows the conclusion of COP26 and once again focuses on the theme of “Future Energy”. The conference had an excellent set of very senior, knowledgeable speakers addressing the most important issues influencing our journey to a sustainable future; including the achievements and failures of the last two years, personal feedback from COP26, a look at what incentives are required in order to achieve Net Zero, in depth reviews of energy storage, some new energy technologies on the horizon, and finally, a senior economist’s view of the energy future. In the middle of all of this, and reflecting our commitment to education, we have the final of our competition offering prizes to young energy professionals and academics for the best new energy ideas. As a reward for all of this intellectual effort, the delegates will further explore these topics in the evening while winding down at a champagne reception.


Oxford Sigma develops novel technologies for fusion energy, provides solutions in advanced nuclear energy, and supports the defence industry. We also provide technical and regulatory-based consultancy. We are expanding at a fast pace in the energy and defence sectors. Through collaboration with industry, academia, and government, the company has expanded into patent and product development in fusion technology, as well as expanding its services into defence & energy strategy.

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