On TAE’s Path to Fusion
A Private-Sector Perspective

Michl Binderbauer | President & CTO | TAE Technologies
Committee on aCOMMITTE
StrategicON
Planfor US Burning
PlasmaResearch,General
Atomic,Feb 26-28,
2018 1A STRATEGICPLAN FOR
U.S. BURNING
PLASMARESEARCH| FEBRUARY
2018

Agenda• Concept, Motivation and History• Key Past Program Accomplishments• Current Status and Next Steps• Overall Perspective Forward – Public-Private
Partnership

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 20182TAE Concept

Advanced beam driven FRC•High plasma β~1••••

Tangential high-energy beam injection•••

large orbit ion population
decouples from micro-turbulence
improved stability and transport

Simple geometry•••compact and high power density
aneutronic fuel capability
indigenous kinetic particles

only diagmagnetic currents
easier design and maintenanceLinear unrestricted divertor•

facilitates impurity, ash and power
removalCOMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 20183

Goals, Issues and Initiatives for FRC Research
FESAC TAP report (2008) & ReNeW (2009)
Long-range mission•

Develop compact (high-β) reactor without toroidal field coils or a central solenoid

ITER era goal•

Achieve stable, long-pulse keV plasmas with favorable confinement scaling

Key issues•

Is global stability possible at large s (a/ρi ≥ 30) with low collisionality?

•What governs energy transport and can it be reduced at high temperature?

•Is energy-efficient sustainment possible at large-s and with good confinement?

•Theory and simulation challenges (high-β, kinetic effects, transport)

Suggested possible initiatives•Build larger facility with rotating magnetic fields or neutral beam injection (NBI)•Develop comprehensive diagnostics suite (profiles, fluctuations, …)

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 2018

4

TAE’s Goals to Now
Test for failure early and at lower cost while reducing most critical risks
Establish beam driven high-β FRC physics test beds to•provide fast learning cycles and large experimental dataset (close to 60,000 shots)•demonstrate sustainment via Neutral Beam Injection (NBI) for >5 ms discharges (longer thancritical timescales) with high repeatability•

study tangential NBI and fast particle effects on stability and transport•measure scaling and study fluctuations and transport•

assess potential for current drive, power balance and its implications

Provide opportunity to•tightly integrate theory/modeling with experimentation•

develop engineering knowhow and integration

Invite collaboration to accelerate progress•

Budker Institute, PPPL, UCI, UCLA, LLNL, Univ. of Pisa, Univ. of Wisconsin, Nihon Univ., Univ. ofWashington, Google, Industrial partners

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 20185Past TAE Program Evolution

A & B – Basic FRC coren 100-800 G, 5-10 eVn ion beams, Wb ~0.1 kJ

C-2 – HPF* w/ 2 guns, Ti gettern 1 kG, 1 keV
n neutral beams, Wb ~12 kJ

C-2U – Sustainment 5+ ms
n 1 kG, 1 keV
n neutral beams, Wb ~100 kJ* HPF – High Performance FRC regime

C-1 – Enhanced lifetime
n 400 G, 10 eVn ion beams, Wb ~1 kJ

C-2 – HPF* w/ 2 guns, Li gettern 1 kG, 1 keV
n neutral beams, Wb ~20 kJ
COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 20186

Key Past Program Accomplishments

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 20187

Global Stability Control via Edge Biasing• Active and passive bias
electrodes “communicate” with
FRC separatrix via scrape-offlayer• Generate inward Er to counter
FRC spin-up, and stabilize
rotational modes (e.g. n=2) inaxisymmetric way

Bias: On/OffPlasma Gun: On/Off• Line-tying between FRC andplasma gun stabilizes wobble(provided that sheath resistanceis low)
Binderbauer, et. al, Phys. Plasmas 22, 056110 (2015)

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 20188

Advanced Beam Driven FRC Enabled by Fast Ions
•Fast ion confinement near classical limit!i ~ (1-2) !icl

•Total pressure is maintained, while thermalpressure is replaced by fast ion pressure, up toPfast/Pth ~ 1•

Global modes are further suppressed•

Lifetime increases with NBI

432mb20141119.tae.1

1001234Classical slowing down time [ms]51.0Plasma Radius

Measured lifetime [ms]56 NBs
5 NBs
4 NBs
3 NBs
2 NBs
1 NB

0.50.001234567891011Time (ms)Binderbauer, et. al, Phys. Plasmas 22, 056110 (2015)
COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 20189••

M. Binderbauer, et. al, AIP Conf. proceedings 1721, 030003 (2016)

FRC Sustainment Correlates with NBI

Pulse length limited by hardware and stored energy supply (biasing, beams)
Flux maintained up to at least 5-5.5 ms – showcases ability to drive current
COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201810

Driftwave Stable Core, Unstable Scrape-off layer

10 –1

Linear dispersion(simulation)
Schmitz, et. al, Nat. Comm. 7, 13860 (2016)

Density fluctuation(experiment)*
0.82≤r/Rs≤0.87
FRC core
1.10≤r/Rs≤1.22
SOL~n/n

10 –2

10 –3

10 –4
0153045kζ ρskζ = n/Rρs=√((Ti+Te)/mi)

6075κ=R0/Ln (normalized inverse density scale-length)
COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 2018

11Critical SOL Gradient Controls Onset of Fluctuations

r/Rs ~ 1.15
r/Rs = 0.95

0.04

r/Rs ~ 0.85

Linear dispersion(simulation)Lau, et. al, Phys. Plasmas 24, 082512 (2017)

Density fluctuation(experiment)*(SOL)(Core)

ñ/nkθρs ~ 5–20

0.02

0234

R/L n
R/L n crit R/Ln crit

(R0/Cs = 2.5 μs)
κ=R0/Ln (normalized inverse density scale-length)
COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 2018122.3

0.4

1.9

0.2

1.5

00.2

1.1
0.7

0.4

R

0.6

0.07

r/Rs=1.1
r/Rs=0.9

0r/Rs=1.1

R/Ln crit42

r/Rs=0.9

0.5

ExB,D (106rad/s)

1.00
3.0–0.5
1.5r (cm)• Radial transport barrier at/outside theseparatrix

R/Ln6• Sheared E×B flow upshifts criticalgradient and reduces turbulence via
eddy shearing/decorrelation

00.14
ñ/n (au)• Strong E×B shearing rate due to plasma
gun biasing

0.4

RsSchmitz, et. al, Nat. Comm. 7, 13860 (2016)

r (m)Fluctuation Suppression via
E×B Sheared Flowne (1019 m–3)

0.6

fr (cm)1.5

1.00–10

0.5
00

0.5

1.0

1.50r-Rs (cm)

102.0

2.5

Time (ms)COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201813

•

~10× improved particle
confinement•Strong positive correlation between Teand τEe•

Good fit – ⌧Ee / Te2.3

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 2018

Trask, et. al, PBull. Am. Phys. Soc. 61, CP10.00064 (2016)

Binderbauer, et. al, Phys. Plasmas 22, 056110 (2015)

Dramatically Improved Confinement

14

Past TAE Program Evolution•

Fast ion confinement is close to classical•Quiescent Core•

Stabilized by FLR effects, magnetic well, fast electron parallel dynamics•

Inverted wavenumber spectrum – evidence of FLR stabilization of ion modes –consistent with near-classical core thermal ion transport•Some electron-scale turbulence – anomalous electron transport (χe < 20 χcl)•τEe exhibits positive Te power dependence

SOL/Edge Fluctuations••

Fluctuations peak outbound near separatrix, with radial outbound convection•Exponentially decaying gyro-scale turbulence up to kθρs < 50•

Critical density gradient controlls onset of density fluctuations•Core and SOL coupling – SOL turbulence affects FRC confinement•

Evidence of localized flow shear at separatrix creating thermal barrier

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201815

Current Status andNext StepsCOMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201816TAE progress towards fusion
Evolutionary sequence of platforms

TAE’s currentmachine

Major development platforms integrate thenbest design• incremental bases for rapid innovation• First plasma
July 2017• One yearconstruction• On time, onbudget

Copernicus entering phased sequence ofreactor performance experiments
C-2U

A, B, C-1

Early development andscience

Plasma Sustainment

C-2

200’100’First full-scale machine

Norman70’(aka C-2W)

70’

1998 – 2000s

2009-2012Copernicus

Reactor plasma performance

Collisionless Scaling

2013-20152017-20182019+

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201817

Norman Goals

Explore beam driven FRCs at 10x stored energy compared to C-2U
• Principal physics focus on•

scrape off layer and divertor behavior•

ramp-up characteristics•

transport regimes• Specific programmatic goals•

demonstrate ramp-up and sustainment for times well in excess ofcharacteristic confinement and wall times•

explore energy confinement scaling over broad range of parameters• core and edge confinement scaling and coupling• consolidated picture between theory, simulation and experiment•develop and demonstrate first order active plasma control
COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201818

Norman (aka C-2W)
TAE’s 5th generation machine

Magnetic Field

0.1–0.3 T

Plasma dimensions – rs , Ls

0.4, 3 m

Density – ne

3×1019 m-3

Temperature – Ti ,Te

191-2, 0.2-1 keVCOMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 2018

Norman – Neutral Beam System
C-2U

NormanPhase 1

NormanPhase 2

Beam Energy, keV

151515/15-40

Total Power

101321# of Injectors

684/4Pulse, ms

830

30

Ion current per source, A

130130130• Centered/angled/tangential neutral-beam injection• angle adjustable in range of 15°–25°• injection in ion-diamagnetic (co-current) direction• High current with low/tunable beam energy• reduces peripheral fast-ion losses• increases core heating / effective current drive• rapidly establishes dominant fast-ion pressure for ramp-upCOMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201820

Norman Plasma Lifetime Trends

Expected increase commensurate with vacuum performance
Plasma Lifetime_T5 History
9Ti getter in
In-DIVs

Plasma Lifetime, T5 (ms)87
65Ti getter in
Out-DIVs

4Ti getterin CV

32w/o Ti getter

10102900

103100103300103500103700103900104100104300

Shot Number
COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201821

Norman Plasma Temperature Trends
Continuous improvement in total temperature
Total Temperature History/Trend2
1.8

Total temperature (ion+electron)
consistently increasing

Ttot_TS@50us
Ttot_TS@100us

Total Temperature (keV)

1.6

Ttot_TS@200us

1.4
1.21•

lower impurity radiation losses•

more efficient beam coupling•

better confinement

0.8

Early temperature moving to 2 keV

0.6
0.4
0.2
0103400

103500103600103700103800103900

Shot Number

104000104100•higher energy formation section•

better pre-ionization

104200

Increasing FRC performance over time
COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201822

Where will TAE be post Norman
Basic proof of scientific feasibility established, meaning• Transport scaling established for collisionless regime• Macroscopically stable operation• Active feedback control established and demonstrated• Heating and current drive established and demonstrated• Open field line/SOL/divertor thermal insulation demonstrated
Overall system integration principles and control system know-how
established

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201823

Key reactor readiness work post Norman (1/2)• Multi species plasmas validation involving H-B11 mix• Ash removal validation• First wall design and material development• Further RF heating development• Further fueling development• Critical system component validation and engineering - magnets,beams, etc.

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201824

Key reactor readiness work post Norman (2/2)• DC performance of all systems• Heat removal systems• Energy conversion system design - thermal, direct conversion• Overall system engineering• Regulatory/licensing work
• …

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201825

Overall Perspective Forward

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201826

Fusion Goals and Opportunity• Start with End in Mind – applied product• Clean and safe power generation asset• Competitive with present energy sources• LCoE of ≲ 8 ¢/kWh, overnight cost of ≲ $5,000 per kW• Minimized regulatory burden• Clear market opportunity now (even vis-a-vis renewables +storage)COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201827

How do we get there (1/2)• Sense of urgency• Broad target approach•

Take advantage of advances in one concept to bootstrap others• Look at (parallel) technology evolutions that tilt equation in our favor• Re-evaluate scale needed now and at full power plant•

Smaller devices are cheaper, faster to built, easier to rebuild, etc• Pool with stakeholders that may only have partial overlap with fusion•Attract more funding by building larger community•

Critical mass to move public policy
COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201828

How do we get there (2/2)• Innovate fast
• Don’t be afraid of failure – learn by breaking things• Iterating is essential to fast progress• Generate volume of data necessary to apply AI and machine learning• Public-private partnership• Involve industrial and private sector early• Helps to recalibrate goals• Introduces private sector thinking and customer needs

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201829

How TAE accelerates innovation•

Build platforms with opportunities for fast cycles of learning•

Strategic partnerships to pool talents/resources••

Traditional fusion partners – universities and national labs•

Outside of typical fusion efforts – Google, utilities/EPRI, industrial sector

Deploy advances in machine learning and AI•

Operational optimization•

Feedback control – assessing and driving “patterns” might be good enough•Aim for aneutronic fuel cycle•

Take advantage of forcing function provided by private capital•

Spin-off applications – medical, EV, etc – develops early revenue, supply chain
COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201830

What TAE needs help with (1/2)
Overall•

Collaborate with community to minimize re-learning

Particular areas of support•

First wall Materials and design•

Divertor design and engineering•

RF heating - overdense plasma (high-beta)•Computational support – codes and computing time

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201831

What TAE needs help with (2/2)
Particular areas of support (cont.)•Diagnostics and sensor development for burning plasma regime•Magnet system design and possible HTS use•

Overall system engineering support•Siting and site development•Tax breaks and incentives•Regulatory and licensing support

COMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201832

Thank YouCOMMITTE ON A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR U.S. BURNING PLASMA RESEARCH | FEBRUARY 201833