An Evaluation of Fusion Energy R&amp;D Gaps Using Technology Readiness Levels

Tillack, M. S.; Turnbull, A. D.; Waganer, Lester M.; Malang, S.; Steiner, D.; Sharpe, John P.; Cadwallader, L.C.; El-Guebaly, L.; Raffray, A.R.; Najmabadi, F.; Peipert, R. J.; Weaver, Thomas; Team, Aries

doi:10.13182/fst09-a9033

Cited by 22 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…There are many examples of TRL scales and their application to systems of varying and evolving maturity. However, the application of TRLs in fusion is still in its infancy (see for example [9]). The integration of our expanding physics knowledge into the DEMO conceptual design will also play a crucial role in supporting the design evolution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

European DEMO design strategy and consequences for materials

Federici¹,

et al. 2017

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Demonstrating the production of net electricity and operating with a closed fuel-cycle remain unarguably the crucial steps towards the exploitation of fusion power. These are the aims of a demonstration fusion reactor (DEMO) proposed to be built after ITER. This paper briefly describes the DEMO design options that are being considered in Europe for the current conceptual design studies as part of the Roadmap to Fusion Electricity Horizon 2020. These are not intended to represent fixed and exclusive design choices but rather 'proxies' of possible plant design options to be used to identify generic design/material issues that need to be resolved in future fusion reactor systems. The materials nuclear design requirements and the effects of radiation damage are briefly analysed with emphasis on a pulsed 'low extrapolation' system, which is being used for the initial design integration studies, based as far as possible on mature technologies and reliable regimes of operation (to be extrapolated from the ITER experience), and on the use of materials suitable for the expected level of neutron fluence. The main technical issues arising from the plasma and nuclear loads and the effects of radiation damage particularly on the structural and heat sink materials of the vessel and in-vessel components are critically discussed. The need to establish realistic target performance and a development schedule for near-term electricity production tends to favour more conservative technology choices. The readiness of the technical (physics and technology) assumptions that are being made is expected to be an important factor for the selection of the technical features of the device.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

European DEMO design strategy and consequences for materials

Federici¹,

et al. 2017

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“…What are the necessary steps to move the preferred option to a higher level of confidence on the performance toward the end goal of a fusion power plant? The Technology Readiness Level methodology [62] could provide guidance in this regard as it provides an objective measure of the maturity of a particular technology, evaluates the remaining R&D needs toward the goal of practical fusion energy, and helps identify necessary plans and facilities (i.e. "next step" machines) to sufficiently mature the technology and bridge the gap between ITER and an attractive power plant.…”

Section: Discussion Of Future Trendsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fifty Years of Magnetic Fusion Research (1958–2008): Brief Historical Overview and Discussion of Future Trends

El-Guebaly¹

2010

Energies

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Fifty years ago, the secrecy surrounding magnetically controlled thermonuclear fusion had been lifted allowing researchers to freely share technical results and discuss the challenges of harnessing fusion power. There were only four magnetic confinement fusion concepts pursued internationally: tokamak, stellarator, pinch, and mirror. Since the early 1970s, numerous fusion designs have been developed for the four original and three new approaches: spherical torus, field-reversed configuration, and spheromak. At present, the tokamak is regarded worldwide as the most viable candidate to demonstrate fusion energy generation. Numerous power plant studies (>50), extensive R&D programs, more than 100 operating experiments, and an impressive international collaboration led to the current wealth of fusion information and understanding. As a result, fusion promises to be a major part of the energy mix in the 21 st century. The fusion roadmaps developed to date take different approaches, depending on the anticipated power plant concept and the degree of extrapolation beyond ITER. Several Demos with differing approaches will be built in the US, EU, Japan, China, Russia, Korea, India, and other countries to cover the wide range of near-term and advanced fusion systems.

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“…Systems must maintain minimally required properties for the service life of a blanket module, ≥6 MW-yr./m 2 of integrated average neutron wall load, they must shield the magnets from excessive heat loads, and they must be maintainable with minimum down time. The readiness assessment by Tillack 5 concluded that these power core and plant systems will need to undergo major advances in technology and integration, requiring additional major facilities, in bridging the gap from ITER to a DEMO.…”

Section: Ivc In-vessel Systems and Tritiummentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Taking a more product-oriented approach, the ARIES team applied the "Technology Readiness Levels" methodology to assess the readiness and current state of knowledge for a reference fusion power plant under the categories of power management, plasma power distribution, and safety and environmental attractiveness. 5 Both science-oriented and product-oriented analyses come to the conclusion that additional major facilities intermediate between ITER and DEMO, specifically one or more FNFs, are needed to test and validate plasma and nuclear technologies and to advance the level of system integration. This has motivated studies of machines spanning the FNF mission space; in the U.S. they include the Fusion Development Facility (FDF), 6,7 the Spherical Tokamak-Component Test Facility (ST-CTF) 8,7 , and the pilot plant 9 to bridge the gap between ITER and DEMO.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%