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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.
Sean M. McDeavitt, David Wootan, Mark Kimber, Karen Vierow Kirkland, Luis H. Ortega, Delia Perez-Nunez, Pavel Tsvetkov, Jason Hearne, Abdullah Weiss, Saleem Drera, Nicolas E. Woolstenhulme
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 197 | Number 11 | November 2023 | Pages 2840-2852
Regular Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2023.2166765
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Two of the experiment vehicles being developed for the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) are presented here. The first is a rabbit system that will enable rapid insertion of small test capsules into the high fast flux of the VTR core for relatively short durations. The rabbit concept development includes the construction/demonstration of a near-full-scale system in a deep-water pool to demonstrate functionality, development of a concept of operations and initial procedures, and validation of thermal-hydraulic modeling. In addition, modeling efforts are underway to simulate the thermal and neutronic environment of a rabbit capsule. The second type of experiment vehicle presented here is a driver fuel test assembly for inserting fuel and materials tests into the core by replacing a driver fuel assembly. A novel design for dismountable test assemblies is proposed for the VTR.