thestarliteproject: perspective on fusion demo and its r&d...

THE STARLITE PROJECT:

Perspective on Fusion Demo and its R&D Needs

Farrokh Najmabadi, Mark Tillack, Robert Conn

University of California, San Diego

for The ARIES Team

ITER Lecture

ITER Joint Work Site, San Diego

March 24, 1995

Fusion Power Plant Studies in U.S.

• Tokamak Commercial Power Plant Study

� Steady-State: ARIES Designs (completed 3/93)

� Pulsed-Plasma: Pulsar Designs (3/93–6/94)

• Stellarator Power Plant Study (1/93–12/94)

• Tokamak Fusion Demo Plant Study, Starlite (6/94 - 9/97)

Tokamak Power Plant Studies

• Optimization of tokamak power plants to achieve a combinationof economic competitiveness, a high level of safety assurance, andattractive environmental features, thorough examination of a broadspectrum of tokamak and fusion-power-core configurations:

1. ARIES-I is based on modest extrapolations in physics and ontechnology which has a 5 to 20 year development horizon (oftenby programs outside fusion).

2. ARIES-III is an advanced fuel (D–3He) tokamak plant.

3. ARIES-II/IV is based on greater extrapolations in physics(e.g., 2nd stability) but with different blanket technologies.

4. Pulsar explored the power plants with pulsed tokamak plasmaoperation (steady electric output).

Major Parameters of ARIES Power Plants

ARIES-I ARIES-IV PULSAR

Aspect ratio 4.5 4.0 4.0

Plasma major radius (m) 6.75 6.0 8.5

Plasma minor radius (m) 1.5 1.5 2.1

Toroidal field on axis (T) 11.3 7.7 6.7

Toroidal field on the coil (T) 21 16 12

Plasma beta 1.9% 3.4% 2.8%

Plasma current (MA) 10 6.6 13

Bootstrap fraction 0.68 0.87 0.38

Neutron wall loading (MW/m2) 2.5 3.2 1.3

Needs & Rational for Starlite Project

• Enormous Progress during the past decade.

• FEAC Panel (1992): “Fusion energy should become energyoriented with the goal of a demonstration power plant in 2025.”

• National Energy Strategy (1993): “A fusion Demo by 2025.”

• Because of their high cost, the next generation of fusionexperiments are mainly argued for based on the need for the fusionenergy and Fusion Demo.

=⇒ High visibility of and focus on the Fusion Demo.

Starlite Project is a comprehensive investigation

of the Fusion Demo, its mission, requirements and

goals, features, and R&D needs.

System Development S trategy

Customer Needs

Mission TechnicalRequirements

DesignRequirements

Build, T est,and O perate

ConceptualDesign

R&D

PreliminaryDesign

FinalDesign

Starlite

Mission,Requirements




System Development S trategy

Power PlantConceptual

Design

Mission

Issues &R&D Needs

Requirements


CustomerNeeds

Starlite

R&DImplementation


PresentDatabase

Starlite Project Will Address These Issues

• Define the Fusion Demo.

• Develop mission and top-level requirements and goals for theFusion Demo.

• Develop system-level requirements for the Fusion Demo.

• Assess present database.

• Develop Candidate Demo designs.

• Identify the necessary database for the Demo and identify theR&D matrix.

• Develop a Demo R&D plan.

• Determine what facilities are needed to establish the necessaryDemo database.

Designs

Data Base and

Assess Present

Determine Data Base Needs

Mission Statement

Requirements

Develop Candidates

Yes

No

Determine Schedule and Milestones

Does Candidate Meet Requirements

J J A S O N D J F M A M1994 1995 1996

J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D

Concept E xploration and Development

Conceptual Design

Initiate P roject

Starlite P roject Activities

Report

1997J F M A M J J A S O

Mission and S ystem Requirements

D-I D-II

Assess R&D Needs

Report

Report

Final Report

D-I D-II

Report Report

Report

Report

Date: 15 Feb 1995

Initiate P roject

Starlite P roject Activities

J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D1994 1995

J F M A M1996J J A S O N D J F M A M

1997J J A S O

Conceptual Design

Mission and S ystemRequirements

Develop Conceptual Design

Estab S ystem S pec, Demo II

D-I D-II

D-I D-II

Define Mission/Goals

Define P lant and S ystem Requirements

Write F inal Report

Investigate and Assess P lasma Regimes

Identify and Assess E ngr Approaches

Establish S ystem Concepts

Conduct T rade S tudies

Estab S ystem S pec, Demo I

D-I D-II

Indepth Assessment of S elected O ptions

Indepth Assessment of S elected O ptions

Assess R&D Needs

Concept E xplorationand Development

Concept E xploration and Development Conceptual Design

Mission and S ystem Requirements

D-I D-II

Assess R&D Needs D-I D-II

Economics

Safety & L icensing

RAMI

Determine R&D Needs toTransition F rom P resent

Database to Demo

Compare Demo I & II on a Cost/Risk Benefit Analysis Basis

Reporting MilestonesAnnual Annual

Date: 15 Feb 1995

Assess R&D Needs

MISSION OF THE U.S. DEMO

• The U.S. fusion program is developing a source of energy to becommercialized by the U.S. industry, licensed by U.S. regulatoryagencies, and used by U.S. utilities/independent power producers(and hopefully exported overseas).

• Therefore, the U.S. fusion DEMO should satisfy two distinctmissions:

1. Successful operation of the DEMO ensures that a commercialpower plant can successfully meet all its objectives (utility andindustry mission for a DEMO)

2. The fusion commercial plant that follows the DEMO will fitthe national policies and goals for energy production (i.e.,environmental aspects, energy security, mix use of energy, theevolving relationship of utilities, independent power producers,and regulatory agencies).

Goals for Fusion Power Plants

There may be NO significant difference possible between “first-generation” and “attractive, long-term” fusion power plants.

i.e., The ’first-generation” plant MUST be attractive in terms ofeconomics, safety, regulation, and environmental characteristics.

Note: This does not preclude improvements. Rather it says:There is a minimum set of required characteristics for afusion power plant.

What are “Required Minimum Characteristics?”

The required characteristics of fusion will be determined by twodistinct (and perhaps disparate) groups:

1. Utilities and industry will demand that fusion power be acommercial success (profitable and affordable).

2. Governments and the Public will demand that fusion powerfit national policies and goals for energy production (i.e.,environmental aspects, mix use of energy, the evolving relationshipof utilities, independent power producers, and regulatory agencies).

Goals for Fusion Power

Fusion power should be a secure, safe, licensable,and environmentally attractive power source with aneconomically superior total cost.

The above statement sets the fusion goals in these areas:

(1) Economics,

(2) Safety and Environmental Features,

(3) Energy Security,

(4) Operation of Power Plant.

The Goals for Fusion Power

• Fusion, by nature, meets the goals of energy security.

• Operational goal from fusion can be easily derived from othersources of energy (goals for reliability, availability, etc. are moreor less universal).

• Past experience with other power plants provides a “minimum”goal for safety and environmental feature (future regulation willprobably be tougher than present day.)

• It is difficult to set exact quantitative goals for economicperformance because of the continuous change in the energymarket.

Improved

Features

Environmental

Safety &

Increased Cost

Fission

Solar

Optimum

Requirements

Minim

um Requirem

ents

Requirements for Fusion Power

No Fusion Power Plant

Improved

Features

Environmental

Safety &

Increased Cost

Fission

Solar

Optimum

Requirements

Minim

um Requirem

ents

Requirements for Fusion Power

No FusionPower Plant

Input from Utility and Industry Has Been Sought

Utility Advisory Council:Steve Rosen (Chairman) Houston Power & LightGlen Ducat Southern California EdisonDennis McCloud Tennessee Valley AuthorityLawrence Papay Bechtel

EPRI Fusion Working Group:Steve Rosen (Chairman) Houston Power & LightJack Kaslow (Vice Chairman) EPRIRalph Izzo PSE&GDennis McCann Consolidated Edison Co.Dennis McCloud Tennessee Valley AuthorityBill Muston Texas Utilities ElectricTom Schneider EPRIPeter Skrgic Allegheny Power Systems, Inc.

A Paradigm For Developing the Characteristicsand Requirements of Fusion Power Plants

• For the fusion Demo:

Provide the elements of the case to be made to the Board ofDirectors by the CEO or VP that the utility company shouldparticipate in a consortium, together with other private-sectorcompanies and a government, to build a fusion Demo.

• For the fusion power plant:

Provide the elements of the case to be made to the Board ofDirectors by the CEO or VP that the utility company shouldorder a fusion plant as the next electric plant on the system. Thisplant will be part of the overall mix of power producing and powerconditioning units in the system.

Elements Of The Case For Fusion Plants:(These define the “Characteristics and Requirements” offusion power)

• Cost advantage over other available central station options.(Economics)

• Ease of licensing. (S&H)

• No need for evacuation plan. (S&H)

• Produces no high level waste. (S&H)

• Reliable, available, and stable as an electrical power source.(Operation)

• No local or global atmospheric impact. (S&H)

• Closed, on-site fuel cycle. (Operation)

• High fuel availability. (Security)

• Capable of load following. (Operation)

• Available in a range of unit sizes. (Operation)


1. Cost advantage over other available central stationoptions. (Economics)

2. Ease of licensing. (S&H)

3. No need for evacuation plan. (S&H)

4. Produces no high level waste. (S&H)

5. Reliable, available, and stable as an electrical powersource. (Operation)


6. No local or global atmospheric impact. (S&H)

7. Closed, on-site fuel cycle. (Operation)

8. High fuel availability. (Security)

9. Capable of load following. (Operation)

10. Available in a range of unit sizes. (Operation)

Elements Of The Case For Fusion Plants–Expanded

1. Cost advantage over other available central stationoptions.

Power plant: Fusion plants are cost competitive with other centralstation options at the time fusion plants are available. Indeed theremust be a clear cost advantage (>∼ 10%) for fusion power plants.

Demo plant: Fusion plants have the potential to be cost competitivewith other central station options. The cost estimates for the Demomay be slightly greater than other options. There should be apathway identified to a commercial system than would have a clearcost advantage.

• Consequence:

P&E. Fusion plants cannot be very large and expensive. Physicsoptimization and “advanced” physics performance is crucial.

Elements Of The Case For Fusion Plants–Expanded

2. Ease of licensing; and 3. No need for evacuation plan.• Reasons:

� Large cost penalty is associated with (fission) licensing.� Minimum environmental impact & positive public perception.� Maximum siting flexibility and consistency with the size of the

distribution grid.

• Consequence:R. Develop fusion-specific regulations.R. Avoid fission regulations.R. Avoid fission lexicon and terminology.

E&R. Avoid requirement for the Design-Base-Accident.R. Pace of fusion development should be such as to avoid

regulatory burden for power plants.E. Utilize low-activation materials.

Elements Of The Case To The Board For FusionPlants

4. Produces no high level waste.• Reasons:

� Minimum environmental impact & positive public perception.• Consequence:E. Utilize low-activation material.

5. Reliable, available, and stable as an electrical power source.• Reason:

� Low-operating-cost, high-profit-margin energy source.• Consequence:

E&P. All fault conditions result in benign shutdowns with minimalconsequences to plant, and the plant restarts quickly afterany such event. (Implication for plasma disruption and burncontrol.)

E&P. Power plant unscheduled outages should be kept below 1.5outages per year.

Statement of General Mission of the DEMO

The Fusion Demo demonstrates that fusion power is asecure, safe, licensable, and environmentally attractivepower source that is ready for commercialization at aneconomically superior total cost.

Elements of the Demo Mission

1. Technology and Performance Demonstration

2. Integration and Scalability Demonstration

3. Economics Demonstration

4. Safety and Licensing Demonstration

5. Waste-Disposal Demonstration

6. Decommissioning Demonstration

7. Reliability Demonstration

8. Maintainability Demonstration

9. Availability Demonstration

10. Operability Demonstration

11. Industrial Supplier Demonstration

12. Power-Producer Interface Demonstration


1. Technology and Performance Demonstration: Demo shoulduse the same technologies as planned for the commercial powerplants since introducing a new technology (e.g., different plasmaoperating regime, coolant, or structural material) would require thata new development path be initiated.

2. Integration and Scalability Demonstration: Demo shoulddemonstrate all systems working as an integrated unit. The Demoshould be large enough so that the step to the first commercial powerplant is small.


3. Economics Demonstration: Initiation of the Democonstruction requires clear demonstration that the successfuloperation of the Demo will lead to a economically superior powerplant. Operation of the Demo should demonstrate that construction,operation, maintenance, and decommissioning costs are in theforecasted range; and that the power plant would have a competitivelife-cycle cost of energy.

4. Safety and Licensing Demonstration: Demo shoulddemonstrate that fusion power is safe. Demo should conductdemonstration testing, as an element of certification by regulatoryagency, which enhances public acceptance and will support timelylicensing. Demo should provide the data base necessary to obtaincertification by the regulatory agency of the standard plant in orderto ensure timely licensing for commercial plants and instill investorconfidence.


5. Waste-Disposal Demonstration: Demo should demonstratethat fusion generates only low-level waste and all waste can berecycled and/or disposed of at an acceptable cost and in a manner.

6. Decommissioning Demonstration: Demo should demonstratethat decommissioning can be performed at an acceptable cost.


7. Reliability Demonstration: Demo should demonstrate thatfusion power plants can operate within the prescribed performanceenvelop (load following, start-up and shutdowns, load ramp rates,endurance operation) with unscheduled internal events not exceedingthe designed and prescribed values.

8. Maintainability Demonstration: Demo should demonstratethat fusion power plants can be maintained (both scheduled andunscheduled maintenance) within the prescribed cost/scheduleenvelop. This is necessary to both achieve the desired availabilityand eliminate the risk of a plant write-off because of a severe internalaccident.


9. Availability Demonstration: Demo should demonstrate thatfusion power plants meet or exceed availability targets that arecompetitive with other sources of electric energy.

10. Operability Demonstration: Demo should demonstrate theease of operation. Demo should demonstrate that routine emissionsfrom the plant are all below allowable values.


11. Industrial Supplier Demonstration: Demo should stimulatean industrial infrastructure which is prepared to supply fusion powerplants on order. Demo should yield the industrial commitment todeploy the first series of commercial power plants.

12. Power-Producer Interface Demonstration: Demo shouldstimulate establishment of a power producer (user) interface whichis prepared to provide operational support programs and supportgeneric regulatory interactions in order to ensure timely penetrationof fusion power plants in the market.

Status of the Starlite Project

• The Demo mission and the first draft of top-level requirements andgoals for the Fusion Demo are developed.

• Second-tier system requirements are being developed.

• Five candidates for physics regime of operation has been identifiedand are under evaluation.

• Assessments of fusion power technologies (e.g., structural material,coolant, and composition of blanket) are on-going.

• The candidate for Demo-I design will be chosen in July 1995. Theconceptual design will be in enough detail so that R&D needs canbe identified (e.g., a blanket test module for test in ITER can bedesigned.)

• Research activities in system-wide issues (1) Economics of fusion,(2) Safety and licensing of fusion power, and (3) RAMI (reliability,availability, maintainability, and inspectability) of fusion powerplants are on-going.

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