Charting the Roadmap to Magnetic Fusion Energy
Authors: G. H. Neilson, R. Betti, D. Gates, C. Kessel, J. Menard, S. Prager, S. Scott, and M. Zarnstorff
Abstract:
With the ITER era now well underway, the fusion
community is considering the next major steps in magnetic fusion
energy (MFE) development. It follows that there is heightened
interest worldwide in understanding the roadmap to commercial
MFE. In reality, there is no unique roadmap. An important
differentiator among possible pathways is risk, i.e. the risks
accepted in going from step to step and how risks are mitigated
through R&D programs that accompany and support the
progression of major nuclear devices. We consider a rollback
approach, starting from a definition of what Demo (a power
plant that is the last step before commercialization) must
accomplish. We assess, in fusion science and technology terms,
the mission and requirements for Demo, its prerequisites, and the
requirements for a major nuclear devices and the accompanying
programs that could precede Demo in order to satisfy its prerequisites.
One option for a pre-Demo MFE device is a pilot
plant, a facility that would develop and test nuclear components
surrounding the plasma, prototype maintenance schemes
applicable to a power plant, and demonstrate both tritium selfsufficiency
and net electricity generation. An initial assessment of
the pilot plant, in terms of its potential to satisfy Demo
prerequisites and the associated risks, is presented.
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Submitted to: IEEE Conference Proceedings (June 2011)
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Download PPPL-4644 (pdf 1.37 MB 8 pp)
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