Advancing Fusion Energy on a Global Scale

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Advancing Fusion Energy on a Global
Scale Dale Meade Fusion Innovation Research
and Energy Princeton, NJ Presented
at Technology of Fusion Energy (TOFE) Meeting
Philadelphia, PA August 22, 2016
http//firefusionpower.org
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Present Outlook for Magnetic Fusion Energy
The world fusion program is entering a
critical phase as attention is focused on the
status of the ITER construction project, and
national programs are broadening to address other
issues needed to make fusion energy a reality.
Europe, China, Japan and Korea have made major
commitments to strong domestic programs with
major new facilities at the frontier of fusion
research, and have strong and growing fusion
technology programs. This talk will focus on
identifying some activities that the US fusion
program can carry out to position itself to
remain among the leaders in the world fusion
program.
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20 Years ago - Significant Fusion Power Produced

• 1991 JET 90/10-DT, 2 MJ/pulse, Q 0.15, 2
  pulses
• 1993-97 TFTR 50/50-DT, 7.5MJ/pulse, 11 MW, Q
  0.3, 1000 D-T pulses,
• Alpha heating observed, Alpha driven TAEs -
  alpha diagnostics
• ICRF heating scenarios for D-T
• 1 MCi (100 g) of T throughput, closed cycle T
  processing, tritium retention
• 3 years of operation with DT, and then
  decommissioned.
• 1997 JET 50/50-DT 22MJ/pulse, 16 MW, Q 0.65,
  100 D-T pulses
• Alpha heating extended, ICRF DT Scenarios
  extended,
• DT pulse length extended
• Near ITER scale D-T processing plant
• Remote handling
• These were the first burning plasma experiments
• detailed alpha physics including alpha
  heating, slowing down, transport
• DT operational scenarios, DT heating
  scenarios
• Successful operation at full parameters at
  high availability without incident

If this does not lead to a fusion energy
program, What does it take??
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How can the US Fusion Program be strengthened?
The US Fusion Program has been following a
comfortable BAU science approach without
externally visible goals and little risk of
failure (or success). Fusion energy will never
be achieved with this approach.   How does the
US Fusion program transition from a
science-focused program to an energy-focused
program? An overall Road Map to Fusion
Energy (Similar to the EU) that involves both
roll forward and roll back considerations.
Identification of key issues and milestones to
resolve them. Some would call this a technical
contract. A litmus test for fusion.
Identification of possible options with criteria
described to make strategic decisions.
Technical assessment by fusion energy research
experts Assessment by external technical
energy research gate keepers
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Starting Point Goal Possible Routes
Obstacles Metrics for Progress
A Road Map is not a Strategic Plan, but it is
necessary to make one
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Why Work on a Fusion Roadmap Now?
To demonstrate that there are realistic
technical paths to a Magnetic Fusion DEMO -
essential to convince others that fusion is worth
supporting even if the funding is not
yet available to follow an aggressive path.
To update previous studies, and develop some
initial views on the relative attributes of
various paths, and to identify critical RD
tasks. In difficult of times, it is even
more important to have a Road Map to make
progress. The Road Map should identify several
exciting deliverables that will sustain funding
between now and ITER 1st Plasma. The
European Fusion Program has developed a Road Map
for Fusion Energy, It has been accepted by the
European Commission and was used to justify
budget increases for the next EU framework plan
Horizon 2020.
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US Magnetic Fusion Program Leaders Initiative
Road Map Study Group (2012-13)
Members Dale Meade Chair Steve
Zinkle Materials Chuck Kessel Power Plant
Studies, FNSPA Andrea Garofalo Toroidal
Physics Neil Morley Blanket Technology Jerry
Navratil University Experimental
Perspective Hutch Neilson 3-D Toroidal, Road Map
Studies Dave Hill Toroidal Alternates Dave
Rasmussen Enabling Technology, ITER Bruce
Lipschultz/Dennis Whyte Plasma Wall
Interactions Reactor Innovations Background FES
AC 35 Yr RJG (2003) FESAC Opportunity
MG (2007) ReNeW Study (2009) FNSP
Assessment CK (2011) FESAC Materials SZ
(2012) FESAC Int Collab DM (2012) EU
Road Map/Annex (2013) China CFETR Plan
(2013)
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General Considerations
Road Map driven by Goal and Associated
Missions (Goal is a Fusion Power Plant)
Strive for quantitative milestones and metrics
as mileage markers - Quantitative dimensional
and dimensionless Figures of Merit - Technical
Readiness Levels Setup logic Framework for
Mission milestones and Decision points
Identify facilities needed to achieve mission
milestones Must have parallel (overlapping)
steps (as in the 1970s) for a reasonable
schedule Detailed cost estimates are beyond
scope our exercise, however - Consider ball
park cost when choosing steps, avoid Mountain of
Death - Our charge assumes funding capability
to move forward as in 1970s - look for near
term deliverables to bootstrap funding of later
steps Gap/Risk Assessment - Gap
assessment is straight forward, but quantitative
risk assessment is difficult.
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Major Mission Elements on the Path to an MFE
Power Plant
Mission 1. Create Fusion Power Source Mission
2. Tame the Plasma Wall Interface Mission 3.
Harness the Power of Fusion Mission 4. Develop
Materials for Fusion Energy Mission 5.
Establish the Economic Attractiveness, and
Environmental Benefits of Fusion Energy
Restatement of Greenwald Panel and ReNeW
themes Each Mission has five sub-missions
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More Work Needed here Compare with EU, NAS IFE
Rpt, FESAC Materials Rpt Describe reqmts for
each TRL with issues, milestones
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Mission 1 Create Fusion Power Source Gap
Add projected JT60-SA, EAST, KSTAR, W7-X,
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Milestones can be Defined to Clarify TRLs

• Attain high burning plasma performance TRL
  4 Q1 achieved in DT experiments in TFTR/JET
  extended with DT in JET 2017 with a Be wall
• Control high performance burning plasma
  TRL 3 Q1 DT experiments in TFTR/JET see
  self-heating TRL 4 DIII-D ECH
  dominated ITER baseline experiments JET DT
  experiments on TAE transport in Q1 DT plasmas
  with Be walls
• Sustain fusion fuel mix and stable burn
  TRL 5 NBI Tritium fueling in TFTR/JET cryo
  pellet injection technology
• Sustain magnetic configuration-AT Configuration
  TRL 4 Bootstrap current widely observed
  non-inductive sustained plasmas observed
  on JT-60U DIII-D using NBI-CD/LHCD/ECCD
  TRL 5-6 DIII-D/K-STAR/JT-60SA observation
  of 80 bootstrap sustained plasma EAST/K-STAR/
  WEST observation of RF bootstrap sustained SS
  plasma
• Sustain magnetic configuration-ST Configuration
• TRL 3 Bootstrap current observed in NSTX CHI
  demonstrated non-inductive current drive
• TRL 4 NSTX-U demonstrate non-inductive start-up
  and sustainment extrapolable to FNSF-AT
• Attain high burning plasma performance compatible
  with plasma exhaust TRL
  3 JET/DIII-D/ASDEX-U demonstration of detached
  divertor operation TRL
  4 JET/DIII-D/K-STAR demonstration of detached
  divertor in SS AT ITER like plasma TRL 4
  NSTX-U demonstration of advanced divertor
  operation in FNSF-ST like plasma TRL
  5 Test stand validation of long lifetime
  divertor PMI material

Now
Now

Now

Now

Now



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Mission /TRL Milestones can be used to Inform
Decisions
2000 2010 2020 2030 2040
DEMO Const
FNSF CDA
DEMO EDA
FNSF EDA
FNSF Const
DEMO CDA
ITER Basis
Create Fusion Power Source Tame Plasma Wall
Interface Harness Fusion Power Materials for
Fusion Power Economic Attractiveness
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7.5?
5
TRL4
7.5?
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TRL4
5
7.5?
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TRL2
3
7.5?
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3
TRL2
DT
ITER
Initiate Construction
Gain10 500 MW
DEMO Basis
Initiate Operation
Define Mission
Legend Milestone Decision Point Goal
FNSF
Initiate Operation
Phase II Results
Initiate CDA
Phase I Results
Initiate EDA
Initiate Const.
DEMO OPS
DEMO
Initiate CDA
Initiate EDA
Electricity From Fusion
Initiate Construction
ITER FNSF gt AT DEMO Pathway
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ITER FNSF gt AT DEMO Pathway (Milestones to
Initiate Construction of AT FNSF)
Create Fusion Power Source attain required
AT Parameters (H98gt1.1 bNgt2.8 100 NI) for 4
tcr demonstrate plasma control ( 1
unmitigated disruption per year) VV AT
Plasma Simulations for FNSF operating scenario,
Tame Plasma Wall Interface Demonstrate
Exhaust Power Handling P/S 1-2 MWm-2 with
Pdiv/Adivlt10 MWm-2, 1 week Qualify Candidate
Divertor Materials Temp, Tretention, erosion
life, neutron effects VV PMI Simulations for
FNSF exhaust power handling integrated with core
plasma Harness Fusion Power Leading
Candidate blanket concept identified and RD
taken to TRL5 Qualify Tritium Handling
Plan Qualify Remote Maintenance
Scheme Materials for Fusion Power Identify
blanket structural material and qualify up to 25
dpa Demo viable matls and techgy for
continuous tritium extraction from fusion
blankets Establish Economic Attractiveness and
Environmental Benefits of fusion Preliminary
Safety Analysis and Environmental Impact
Statement approved
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Facilities for US Magnetic Fusion Program Road
Map
2000 2010 2020 2030 2040
AT or ST for FNSF?
NSTX-U, MAST-U
AT OK for Demo Basis?
Adv Tokamak Pathway
FNSF?
AT or ST FNSF
PMI Facilities
DEMO
Blanket Facilities
OK for Demo Basis?
Materials Facilities
DT
Non-DT
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Mission 5. Establish the Economic
Attractiveness, and Environmental Benefits
of Fusion Energy

• Emphasis has been on making ITER work, need to
  make fusion work!
• Need to actively seek Innovations- back to
  fundamentals with an open mind and critical
  assessment and exploitation. Need to reward
  programmatic risk.
• Some examples
• -H-Mode (35 years old, significant defects) need
  better Separatrix away from edge
• - AT Mode ( 25 years old, incremental progress)
  will this be stable in a Hi Q BP??
• Optimized Stellarators practical engineering,
  moderate scale tests
•   Liquid metals Liquid Li Divertor Target
  (1973), system study - technology
• Advanced Divertors have rediscovered 1975
  Concepts neutrons, space
• HTSC (1986) continued development of conductor
  and Exploitation in MFE
• New structural configurations - liquid pool
  blanket, force free coils, maintainable
• Materials nano engineered, 3-D graded
  components, neutrons. - why not SNS???
• more

An Evaluation of Alternate Magnetic Fusion
Concepts 1977 (DOE/ET-0047)
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National Academy Study on the Future of US
Magnetic Fusion

• The National Academy will soon start a study on
  the future of the US Magnetic Fusion Program.
  The charge is still embargoed but will likely ask
  for a review of future opportunities for the US
  Magnetic Fusion Program with and without US
  participation in ITER.
• The study will likely take two years to complete.
  However, the previous 2004 Burning Plasma Study
  released a preliminary report within 4 months.
  Therefore, early input is essential.
• The Fusion Community needs to be extremely
  proactive, self organize and present well thought
  out options. Dont wait to be asked!
• The new FIRE web site, http//firefusionpower.org,
  will serve as a repository of information, and
  as a forum to encourage community discussion.

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Concluding Remarks
Tho world fusion community is focused on fusion
energy. The US is out of synch with the world
magnetic fusion community, and is in danger of
falling from among the leaders to a follower in
the quest for fusion energy. The technical
basis for the US to transition to a fusion energy
program is strong. A Technical Contract should
be established with the fusion community to
define the specific requirements. The
technical fusion issues to be solved are well
understood and a framework has been identified
that could help develop a Road Map to achieve
MFE. The Road Map should identify several
exciting deliverables that will sustain funding
between now and ITER 1st Plasma. The Nation
Academy study is a critical step in developing
the criteria for the transition to a fusion
energy program, and the US Fusion Community
should be very active participants.
Comments to dmeade_at_pppl.gov
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Even Uncle Sam is getting impatient!
I want you to find out if fusion energy will
work,
and do it in my lifetime.
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