Preliminary Design of the Electrical Power Systems for DTT Nuclear Fusion Plant

Abstract

The realization of the Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT) facility is one of the key milestones of the European Roadmap, aiming to explore alternative power exhaust solutions for DEMO, the first nuclear-fusion power plant that will be connected to the European grid. For the actual implementation of the DTT and DEMO plants, it is necessary to define the structure of the internal electric power distribution system, able to supply unconventional loads with a sufficient level of reliability. The present paper reports the preliminary studies for the feasibility and realization of the electrical power systems of DTT, describing the methodology adopted to obtain a first distribution configuration and providing some simulation results. In particular, the first stage of the study deals with the survey and characterization of the electrical loads, which allows defining a general layout of the facility and size the main electrical components. To verify the correctness of the assumptions, simulation models of the grid were implemented in the DIgSILENT PowerFactory software in order to carry out power flow and fault analyses.

Analysis for the Integration of the Toroidal Field Power Supply in the DTT Nuclear Fusion Facility

“…The ENEA Research Centre is currently connected to a 150 kV transmission line that can supply less than 10 MVA and cannot be upgraded due to the presence of other electrical loads on the same line [13]. Therefore, it is necessary to build a new HV line to supply the DTT, which is planned for the upcoming years.…”

“…IP loads play a critical role in protecting essential reactor services when a sudden loss of the main power supply occurs. The latter are the most important type of loads due to their role in keeping the personnel and the reactor safe [13].…”

“…Given the unique characteristics of typical loads in a fusion reactor, DTT power is distributed through two separate substations: one to supply steady-state loads only (Steady-State Electrical Distribution, SSED) and one for the pulsed loads only (Pulsed-Power Electrical Distribution, PPED) [13][14][15][16]. In particular, the TFC are classified as pulsed electrical loads, therefore are powered by the PPED.…”