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Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
T. R. Jarboe, C. J. Hansen, A. C. Hossack, G. J. Marklin, K. D. Morgan, B. A. Nelson, D. A. Sutherland, B. S. Victor
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 66 | Number 3 | November 2014 | Pages 369-384
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST14-782
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The conceptual design of an experiment for demonstrating and developing the efficient sustainment of a spheromak with sufficient confinement is presented. “Sufficient” means that the current drive power can heat the plasma to its stability β limit. Previous transient experiments showing sufficient confinement in the kilo-electron-volt temperature range with no external toroidal field coil, recent results on Helicity Injected Torus with Steady Inductive (HIT-SI) showing sustainment with sufficient confinement, the potential of imposed dynamo current drive (IDCD) of solving other fusion issues, and a very attractive reactor concept justify a proof-of-principle experiment for a high-β spheromak sustained by IDCD. A machine with 1-m minor radius with the required density control, wall loading, and neutral shielding for a 10-s pulse is described. Peak temperatures of 3 keV and toroidal currents of 3.2 MA and 16% wall-normalized plasma β are envisioned.