EFDA

EUROPEANFUSIONDEVELOPMENTAGREEMENTthe Case for ITER
K.Lackner, D. Campbell and many others
EFDA-CSU
D-85748 Garching

ITER
ITER

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTEngineering Design Phase(1992 – 2001)
Japan
European Union
Russian Federation(US until 1999)

negotiations among partners:
above + Canada

major radius

6.2 m

minor radius

2.0 m

plasma current

15 MA

toroidal field

5.3 T

κ/δ

1.85/0.49

fusion power amplification≥ 10

fusion power

400 MW (800 MW)

burn duration

400 s (3000 s)

external heating power

73 MW (110 MW)

construction costs (includingdeferred items & management costs):
4.57 b€ (EU costing)partner´s contributions in kindrole of ITER in Europe´s vision• burning plasma physics• integration of technology with physics• demonstrate and test fusion power plant technologies
ITER Design Goals
Physics:•

ITER is designed to produce a plasma dominated by α-particle heating•produce a significant fusion power amplification factor (Q = 10) in long-pulse
operation•

aim to achieve steady-state operation of a tokamak (Q = 5)•

retain the possibility of exploring ‘controlled ignition’ (Q = 30)

Technology:•demonstrate integrated operation of technologies for a fusion power plant•

test components required for a fusion power plant•

test concepts for a tritium breeding modulerole of ITER in Europe´s vision• ITER is the fastest path of a success-oriented strategy toa reactor• patience with fusion as an energy option is running short

the King Panel (includingleading industrialists)

Economist July 18, 2002:•report:The ITER project is theessential step towards energy
production on a fast track.

•fusion has demonstrated a newphysics constant: the 30 yearsto fusion power„the only reason to understandburning plasmas is in order tobuild a commercial fusion
power-plant“tokamak research is mature for thestep to a burning plasma - (1)tokamak research has
converged
ITER incorporates all
successfull
developments:• elongated (Dshaped) cross-section• divertor• superconducting
coils• DT operation

ITER

tokamak research is mature for the step to a burning
plasma - (2) the progress in performance measure n T τsteady, rapid progressof tokamak performancenatural next step:burning plasman... plasma density
T... plasma temperatureτ ... energy confinement time(a measure of the quality ofthe thermal insulation)

tokamak research is mature for the step to a burning
plasma - (3) targeted research to resolve remaining issues

ITERsimulation
discharges
on JET

AUG

confinement at high n/n Gr

ITER´s capabilities as a burning plasma experiment
ITER has also other missions besides burning plasma physics:•but all its mission goals require it to to carry out foremost an
extensive and ambitious physics programme•

its essential design features give it the capability to do this––––pulse length (3000 s) and duty cycle (20%)
diagnostic access & facilities
flexible heating, current drive system•
total power•composition
divertor exchange capability

even for a partner who values differently the mission
objectives of ITER it gives best value/cost [burn-seconds*)/$]*) or (τburn/τE)/cost or (τburn/τskin)/cost or .....

Fusion Power Plant Physics & ITER´s capabilities
as a burning plasma experiment• advanced scenarios:• sample scenarios illustrative• will be a primary research objective(in particular regarding α-particlephysics)• sample calculations:• “weak central shear”• Ip=9MA, q95=5.3• H98(y,2)=1.6, β N=2.95• fbs=48%, fCD=52%• PRF+PNB=29+30MW, Pfus=356MW

ITER´s advanced scenarios are limited by conservativism rather thantechnical capabilities (Pfus-> 800 MW, Pheat -> 110 MW)

the need for physics-technology integrationsome of the key issues arise at physics-technology
interface• past, recognized examples are• tritium retention• consequences of halo currents & vertical disruptions• life – time issues in steady state•.......
• others• diagnostics (incl. real time control) in nuclear environment• RWM-stabilisation in a device with superconducting coils•.......

cannot be substituted by paper work:
reactor studies need feet on the groundITER´s mission: physics & technology integrationrole of R&D phasesteps in physics & technology
integration1.

design

2.

R&D

3.

construction

4.

operating experiencesteps (1) and (2) accomplishedduring Engineering Design
Activity 1992 - 2001:
investment and value ofprototypes: 400 M€ for the7 large projectsexample: vacuum vessel segment

proof of accuracy in manufacturing andwelding with 3 mm accuracy(also proof of inernational collaboration: a US-producedwelding robot welded a Russia-produced port to theJapan-produced vessel)development path centered around ITER:

Major Facilities

Base Plasma physics

the US version

Theory & Simulation
ST, stellarator, RFP, other ICCs
Tokamak physics

ExperimentalITER
Phase

ICC ETR

ETR
Phase

Decision point

14-MeV neutron source

Base Technologies

Volumetric neutron source

Base fusion power technologies

Base Plasma Support technologies

DEMOdevelopment path centered around ITER:
a EU tokamak version (stellarator versions exist)

ITER proponent´s conclusions from the workshop• the design review of ITER has confirmed that there are
no show stoppers• two areas identified as requiring further R&D are already at thetop of the EU-list• ELM-mitigation• tritium inventory
where we have a major R&D effort, involving also US
collaboration (Pisces) and a range of alternative options• in two areas US codes have highlighted the need for reassessment or minor modifications• LHCD current drive efficiency for advanced scenarios• RWM stabilization requirements

Summary

US left ITER when
we had no site
proposal

Cadarache, EU

now we have 4welcome!

Vandellos, EU