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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.
D. S. Fee
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 8 | Number 1 | July 1985 | Pages 285-290
Operation and Maintenance | Proceedings of the Sixth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (San Francisco, California, March 3-7, 1985) | doi.org/10.13182/FST85-A40058
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Remote maintenance and repair considerations will play a major role in determining the design and layout of next-generation fusion devices, including the buildings and facilities supporting the nuclear operation of those devices. The reactor/test cell described in this paper represents a “nominal copper” TFCX (Tokamak Fusion Core Experiment) concept that emphasizes an integrated approach to the design of the experimental device and its supporting facilities. This configuration is unique with respect to other TFCX concepts in that it promotes the use of a modular design with readily replaceable stand-alone sectors, integrates the machine and test cell structures, incorporates a facility arrangement that results in a smaller overall facility footprint, reduces the transportation path of activated hardware, and allows access to three sides of the test cell facilities.