FUSION N E W S
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30 YEARS OF JET Paving the way to iteR’s take off FUSION RESEARCH IN KOREA PRIMA: CONSTRUCTION IS PROGRESSING FAST FUSION IN EUROPE INVITES: GÜNTHER OETTINGER
2 | 2013
EUROPEAN FUSION DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
FUSION IN EUROPE | Contents |
Contents
FUSION IN EUROPE № 2 | 2013
Moving Forward
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A fruitful collaboration between neighbours (Picture: IPP, Anja Richter Ullmann)
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EFDA Building up the next generation of fusion scientists Building up competences for DEMO
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Beyond EFDA Fusion research in Korea
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Associates A fruitful collaboration between neighbours ITER Neutral Beam Test Facility: Construction is progressing fast in Padova Tore Supra becomes WEST Fusion in Europe invites: Günther Oettinger
JETInsight 16 20 22 24
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Co-pilots of JET
Community ( Picture: EFDA)
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People Young faces of fusion A physicist among the engineers In dialogue Ideas 2020 – how to solve today’s major challenges MAT21 – a magazine for Czech high school students The state of fusion research worldwide
Miscellaneous
Ideas 2020 – how to solve today’s major challenges ( Picture: Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft)
Imprint
30 Years of JET – Paving the way to ITER’s take off JET restarts to exploit the ITER-Like-Wall further Co-pilots of JET JET Guestbook
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Newsflash Newsflash, EFDA online
Title pictures: EFDA; Consorzio RFX
EFDA Close Support Unit – Garching Boltzmannstr. 2 85748 Garching / Munich
FUSION IN EUROPE ISSN 1818-5355
Germany phone: +49-89-3299-4263 fax:
+49-89-3299-4197
e-mail: christine.rueth@efda.org For more information see the website:
editors: Petra Nieckchen, Christine Rüth
www.efda.org
Subscribe at newsletter@efda.org
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© Francesco Romanelli (EFDA Leader) 2013. This newsletter or parts of it may not be reproduced without permission. Text, pictures and layout, except where noted, courtesy of the EFDA Parties. The EFDA Parties are the European Commission and the Associates of the European Fusion Programme which is co-ordinated and managed by the Commission. Neither the Commission, the Associates nor anyone acting on their behalf is responsible for any damage resulting from the use of information contained in this publication.
| Moving Forward | EFDA |
Building up the NEXT GENERATION of FUSION SCIENTISTS
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cientific excellence and high-quality, international research projects won twelve postdoctoral researchers EFDA fellowships which will support them for two years. The new fellows come from nine Associate laboratories and they succeeded in a two-stage selection process from a total of 22 applicants. EFDA wishes all fellows a successful two years. Since the programme started in 2007, EFDA has supported 57 fellows.
“I investigate tungsten laminates for DEMO divertor applications. I am grateful for having received an EFDA fellowship as it allows me to continue my work on the foil laminate materials. I really appreciate the opportunity to get in touch with material experts from all over the world.”
Jens ReiseR KIT, Germany
“My work will be focused on the experimental validation of turbulent transport models in the ASDEX-Upgrade tokamak. The physical processes responsible for the ejection of macroscopic coherent plasma structures – known as filaments – are one of the key open questions regarding the transport of heat and particles to the different plasma facing components. A proper and validated model of these is required in order to ensure the safe operation of the next generation of tokamaks.” “To reliably predict power exhaust in a fusion reactor, sophisticated numerical modelling is needed in combination with experimental validation. I will use this EFDA fellowship to conduct and model impurity-seeded discharges in ASDEX Upgrade and JET, for the purpose of achieving DEMO-relevant scalings of exhaust physics.”
danieL CaRRaLeRo IPP, Germany
Leena aho MantiLa TEKES, Finland “The electrical network of ITER or of a fusion power plant has to bear unprecedented loads. In some operating conditions unwanted instabilities in the network might occur, for instance fast voltage variations. My research project aims to develop analytical models that can identify and prevent such effects. The work will complement studies which aim at guaranteeing the correct operation of the ITER power supply system.”
eRin haywaRd CEA, France
CLaudio finotti ENEA-RFX
“My simulations will provide fundamental understanding of how hydrogen and helium interact with reactor structural materials.”
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FUSION IN EUROPE | Moving Forward | EFDA | “At MAST, I am implementing a new Doppler backscattering diagnostic for measurements of density fluctuations and plasma flows. It is hoped that the data obtained will provide new insights into the turbulence that generates transport of particles, momentum, and energy across field lines in magnetic confinement fusion devices.”
Jon hiLLesheiM CCFE, UK
“My research project aims at contributing to the unification of 3D physics in all three magnetic configurations (Tokamak, Reversed Field Pinch and Stellarator) by using a common approach. The research project will be focused on the study of physical effects of 3D magnetic fields, such as the externally applied magnetic perturbations for the control of the helical structures occurring in the core plasma and a wealth of other phenomena taking place in the outer plasma.“ “The project is dedicated to experimental multi-diagnostic studies of interplay between energetic ions and basic plasma instabilities, such as neoclassical tearing modes. The studies will be conducted on ASDEX Upgrade which is equipped with a number of fast ion diagnostics and versatile sources of fast ions. This knowledge is important since good confinement of fast ions and a proper removal of helium ash is vital for future fusion machines and requires understanding of underlying physics.”
BaRBaRa MoMo ENEA-RFX, Italy
dMitRy Moosev Differ, The Netherlands “I will investigate the performance of liquid metals as an alternative divertor solution for DEMO and future fusion devices. This work will take place at the MAGNUM-PSI linear device at FOMDIFFER.” “I am implementing a new numerical method called IsoGeometric Analysis into computer models that simulate the behaviour of a fusion plasma in a tokamak. With the numerical tools I am developing, one can achieve complex and realistic tokamak geometries. Ultimately, we will be able to handle more realistic ITER plasma simulations.”
thoMas MoRgan FOM-Differ, The Netherlands
ahMed Ratani CEA, France “This project will contribute to an ITER priority research subject: the prediction of imminent disruptions. For that, shots from JET’s ITER-Like-Wall campaigns will be used to develop an adaptive ITER-suitable system using Artificial Intelligence techniques.”
giusePPe a. Rattá
toM wauteRs LPP-ERM/KMS, Belgium
“My research project focusses on ICRF plasma discharge production gutiêRRez aiming at consolidating the related vacuum vessel conditioning CIEMAT, Spain technique, Ion Cyclotron Wall Conditioning, for application on ITER and W7-X. I will closely participate in the multi-machine experimental activities related to ICRF discharge conditioning, and perform modelling of ICRF discharge production combined with dedicated experiments to benchmark the codes.” (All Pictures: private)
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| Moving Forward | EFDA |
BuIlDIng uP comPEtEncEs For DEmo
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he EFDA Roadmap identi-
fies the need for training programmes in order to
build up a future fusion work force. We interview co-authors of this section of the roadmap, Niek Lopes Cardozo, Chairman of the European Fusion Education Network (FuseNet) and Christian Schönfelder, who works at the AREVA Training Center and is member of the Fusion Industry and Innovation Forum (FIIF). Christian schönfelder (Picture: private)
How is fusion training and education organised now? NIEK: EFDA runs programs for goal-oriented training and early career researchers. FuseNet is the European network of laboratories, universities and industries that are involved in fusion training and education. It covers the whole range from bachelor to master and early career. FIIF comprises industrial representatives and advises the Commission and EFDA on industrial involvement and also on training. The three – EFDA, FuseNet and FIIF work closely together. Christian – FIIF member – is on the FuseNet board. What additional training needs do you see? CHRISTIAN: We laid that out in the Education and Training annex of the EFDA Roadmap. With the transition to ITER and then DEMO, fusion will go from a science-driven, lab-based exercise to an industry-driven and technology-driven program. Moreover, it will move into a nuclear environment. This means that engineers as well as technicians will have to be aware of nuclear
niek Lopes Cardozo (Picture: private)
safety, licensing and regulations. Generic nuclear technology training is available from the fission field and we have to enhance that with fusion-specific content. NIEK: Industry will be much more involved in fusion and will need people who, besides being experts in their field, also know about fusion. In fusion, we already have engineers and scientists with specialist fusion knowledge, but now we will work more closely with industrial and nuclear engineers and we need people who know how to do that. We will need to organise that, too. In education, and human resource management, you need to plan ahead because it takes about ten years from when the students arrive at the university until they are the young professionals that realise our dreams – their dreams. What kind of training needs does industry have? CHRISTIAN: We are currently building up a better knowledge of those needs. As Niek said, our people
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FUSION IN EUROPE | Moving Forward | Beyond EFDA | will have to know about fusion systems. Companies that are applying for ITER contracts already have that situation. To define more specific needs, we have to refine this picture and to consider the technological development ahead of us. Although the Roadmap implementation plans are currently being discussed are there any ideas already? NIEK: Yes, we are in the process of discussing this, so let me not run too much ahead of developments. Basically we follow the lines set out in the Roadmap, which distinguishes six action lines. First, coordination of education, with joint academic criteria and support to joint educational events, mobility of students, joint development of materials, etc. Then, importantly, support to PhD programmes in the fusion institutions or universities, lined up with Roadmap priorities. Next, training of (mostly) engineers that enter the fusion field, in some form of follow-up of the present goal-oriented training programme. Fourth, follow-up of the early career excellence programme, the EFDA fellowships. Furthermore, we envisage in-company training of engineers who work in an industrial environment and are involved in fusion-
related tasks. And finally, as already mentioned, dedicated training of fusion experts on licensing, regulation, (nuclear) safety, balance of plant etc. is required for the transition to a nuclear technology. Christian, you have been working as a senior advisor for fission. Can fusion learn from fission? CHRISTIAN: Yes, I see similarities between large fission projects like the current building of new, third generation fission plants and ITER and DEMO. We are training engineers and customer personnel for these new plants and there are things which could be brought into the fusion education and training programme. The ITER Organisation expressed some specific training needs there, not only for fusion related issues but also related to organisation and management of such large scale and technologically very demanding projects. â– Contact & information: Christian SchĂśnfelder: Christian.Schoenfelder@areva.com Prof N.J. Lopes Cardozo: chair@fusenet.eu www.fusenet.eu www.areva-training.de (German)/ www.areva.com
Fusion research in
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usion in Europe talks to Lee Gyung-Su, former Director of the Korean National Fusion Research Institute.
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Korea Gyung-Su, you came here to discuss potential collaborations about DEMO? Yes. There is a large gap to bridge between ITER and DEMO and currently no one has the resources to fill that gap alone. But we cannot wait until ITER is done. Instead, we should have a DEMO concept ready by then. At the moment, I view Europe as having the leading edge in the DEMO preparation work among the ITER partners. Traditionally, Korean fusion research has strong ties to the US. Through ITER we learned about the capabilities of Europe. Europe is very advanced, especially in the areas of heat removal, divertor physics and engineering as well as divertor materials.
| Moving Forward | Beyond EFDA | That’s why I visited the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and EFDA. How is fusion research in Korea organised? The National Fusion Research Institute (NFRI) is the main institute, but we intentionally design our projects in a collaborative way. We want to get access to the knowledge present in Korean industry and science institutions, like our atomic research institute or groups that work on material research or on hydrogen storage systems. In a way, NFRI acts as facilitator and brings up issues to invite other experts to participate in our programme. You mentioned that Korean fusion research receives strong support by politics and industry?
to attract the people that are best in their fields by offering challenging and advanced development programmes. If scientists excel with a research project that was initiated by fusion, they will support us. Is the Korean public aware of fusion energy? What is its opinion of the field? Koreans are very well educated. And we are proud. When KSTAR worked, the public was proud of that success and wanted to know more about it. I believe that this is the way to go in communication with public in general. Most scientists want to teach people, but in my opinion, that never works. You have to get people interested and then they will seek information with their own initiatives. ■
Yes, we do, I believe. We aimed for a legal foundation from the very start of the programme. A fusion law authorises an annual budget to us, which lies now at 250 million USD. What helps us is our good track record: KSTAR was a very difficult project and there were large doubts. But we were successful and our industry delivered on time and in good quality. That is an important aspect, because from the start we wanted to build KSTAR according to industrial standards. With these credentials, we moved on to ITER and now to DEMO. Why does Korea support fusion so strongly? Is it a matter of securing energy supply? Energy is important, but energy alone is not the answer. Korea does not expect to solve a problem alone which other nations have tackled for decades and not succeeded yet. Another reason lies in the Korean society. Korea successfully became a technology nation in the fields of electronics, telecommunication, automobile, ship-building, and steel. Now we want to advance as a science nation. Korea is a small country and our R&D budget is limited – we have to carefully select which projects we make our avenues to scientific excellence. Fusion is one of them.
(Picture: private)
Lee Gyung-Su studied and worked at US fusion laboratories before he returned to Korea in 1991 to contribute to the start of a national fusion programme. He oversaw the design and construction of the fusion experiment KSTAR and led Korean participation in the ITER Project. Lee is currently leading the Korean DEMO activities and came to Europe in February 2013.
In Europe, we find that it takes some effort to get young people interested in a fusion career. What is the situation in Korea? It is similar. When I studied physics, this field was regarded higher than even medicine or law. That has changed, like in many other countries. We are hoping
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FUSION IN EUROPE | Moving Forward | Associates |
A fruitful collABorAtion Between neighBours
difficult connection: specialists from Cracow (ifJ Pan) install the complex superconducting coils of wendelstein 7-X. (Picture: IPP, Anja Richter Ullmann)
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he Polish fusion Association is heavily engaged in the advanced stellarator Wendelstein 7-X. The experiment is under construction in Greifswald, Germany – less than 100 kilometres away from the border to Poland. With a total investment of EUR 6.5 million, Poland is the second largest contributor to Wendelstein 7-X after the US. In return Poland becomes scientific partner of the project.
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“I can get faster to Warsaw than to Munich, because Szczecin airport is so near,” says Thomas Klinger, project leader of Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X), when asked how the close ties between IPP Greifswald and the Polish Associates came about. “Right after Poland joined the European Unioin, I got on the train and presented the W7-X project at all research institutes in Poland. In 2007 we had a first meeting with Polish and German government representatives.” Also Roman Zagórski from the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion (IPPLM) in Warsaw remembers those first days of collaboration: “My contact to IPP started in the late nineties with modelling work. During that time other Polish researchers also established ties to IPP. Eventually Poland decided to contribute to the assembly of W7-X. I was not directly involved back then. As far as I know, Poland had considered a national fusion experiment and opted for a partnership with W7-X instead.” Roman Zagórski is Head of Research Unit of the Polish fusion Association, which comprises eleven institutions across the country. Two of them are located in Szczecin, only 80 km from Greifswald, he says: “I hope that they will strongly participate in the Wendelstein 7-X experiment and I am trying to stimulate that at the moment.“
superconducting joints. Poland brings lots of expertise for the complex assembly of W7-X. The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics (IFJ PAN) in Cracow is extraordinarily accomplished when it comes to assembling superconducting cables. Financed by the Polish Government, between ten and twenty technicians from Cracow were working at any time in Greifswald to make the 184 joints for the superconducting magnets. About 50 engineers and technicians were involved in
| Moving Forward | Associates | the preparation and training for the assembly of these superconducting connectors known as busbars. In total, the effort lasted for more than six years and amounted to more than 160 Full Time Equivalent Years of working time. “Long before the project was finished in late 2012, the Polish teams had become part of our W7-X family,” Thomas Klinger recalls. “The complex geometry and very limited space inside the cryostat was quite a challenge for these experts. I am really impressed by their work.” Because of their expertise, the group is well booked: Before coming to W7-X, they had worked at CERN and now they are involved in the construction of the European X-ray laser XFEL.
neutral beam heating system. A second large project, the neutral beam heating system, is well under way. Experts for particle accelerators from the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) in Swierk are responsible for the construction of the concrete support structures. The institute also contributes to the cooling system that dissipates the heat generated during the process of producing the powerful neutral particle beams. Together with the gate valves, which separate the injector boxes from the plasma, and two magnets, which reflect the particle beams, the total value of the NCBJ project amounts to five million euro. Most components are already in Greifswald and the final delivery is scheduled for September 2013. mechanical analysis, diagnostic and modelling. In 2004, the Warsaw University of Technology (WUT) started with structural and mechanical analyses of the W7-X magnetic system. Among other tasks, the group collaborated with IPP to develop finite element parametric models of critical system elements. Those models enabled a numerical analyses of the mechanical connections, helped understand the behaviour of the joints and allowed simulation of complex manufacture and assembly processes. The Institute for Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion is building two sophisticated soft X-ray diagnostic systems, which will be used to study impurities and very fast electrons in the plasma. For their design, a numerical code to simulate and evaluate the X-ray emission of a stellarator plasma was developed. IPPLM and IPP have been collaborating for the development of a code (FINDF) for simulating the parameters in the plasma edge region of the stellarator W7-X. This collaboration is expected to continue for further plasma edge modelling and for using the FINDF code to interpret the experimental results of W7-X. Further diagnostic systems for W7-X are developed by other Polish institutions,
helium-filled balloons were enlisted to levitate the perfectly shaped and sensitive superconducting connectors carefully into the hall. (Picture: IPP, Anja Richter Ullmann)
e.g. IFJ PAN Instruments for neutron measurements and the Opole University impurity monitors.
research plans. The investment in Wendelstein 7-X earns Poland a seat in the experiment’s international programme committee. In June, IPP and the Polish partners held their first workshop to discuss their research plans. The options are plentiful. Wendelstein 7-X will benefit from Polish know-how in fields like neutron and x-ray diagnostic and in simulations, believes Thomas Klinger. Also Roman Zagórski envisages diagnostic work: “IPPLM has contributed to the diagnostic systems, so we are interested in such projects.” Other options would lie in the areas of plasma wall interaction and plasma modelling. Roman Zagórski is looking forward to the start of experiments: “There are not so many fusion devices in Europe at which our scientists can conduct their research. Having access to the newest and most advanced experiment in Europe is certainly a good opportunity for us.” ■ Contact & information: Prof Dr Thomas Klinger, IPP, thomas.klinger@ipp.mpg.de Prof Dr Roman Zagórski, IPPLM, roman.zagorski@ipplm.pl Association EURATOM-IPPLM: http://tinyurl.com/euratom-ipplm Wendelstein 7-X: http://tinyurl.com/IPP-Wendelstein-7X The Polish contributions to W7-X: http://tinyurl.com/Polish-participation-W7-X
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FUSION IN EUROPE | Moving Forward | Associates |
walking the Prima construction site. from left: vanni toigo, Maria teresa orlando, adriano Luchetta, Roberto Pasqualotto, Pierluigi zaccaria. (Picture: Consorzio RFX)
ITER NEUTRAL BEAM TEST FACILITY:
constructIon Is ProgrEssIng FAst In PADovA magine a beam of neutral atoms accelerated at high speed
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and fired into the plasma; the atoms will collide with the plasma particles and transfer some of their energy, thus heating the plasma. To develop and test the source of these high-speed atoms and the injection system for ITER, two experiments are being constructed within a dedicated facility in Padova, Italy, the Neutral Beam Test Facility.
Unique, in being the only main ITER plant not based in Cadarache, the Neutral Beam Test Facility (NBTF) is a big enterprise. The scope of the project is challenging: “providing a true reliable neutral beam injector for ITER, able to achieve full performance, giving confidence in terms of fatigue life predictions and identification of potential failures to avoid lost operation time in ITER” says Prof. Piergiorgio Sonato, from Consorzio RFX, while looking at the four Deputy Project Leaders to gain their agreement. We are at a large area of the National Research Council, where the plant is being constructed. It will host two independent experiments: SPIDER, the negative ion source prototype, and MITICA, the neutral beam injector system. Construction activity is buzzing around us. About 400 foundation pillars and the 1000 m³ underground cooling water basins have already been laid out. The upwards construction is imminent. In a few months it will be ready to begin installing SPIDER. Technicians from the Cooperativa Ravennate company are working feverishly to make the deadline: to have the buildings ready to allow the start of SPIDER operation in early 2015 and that of MITICA around three years later.
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thermomechanics The challenging nature of the enterprise lies in removing the large amounts of power that are dissipated in MITICA during the beam generation process. Of the approximately 60 megawatts (MW) supplied to the system, 16.5 MW will reach the plasma. The remaining 45 MW have to be removed. Peak power densities can reach 20 MW/m², which is equivalent to 20,000 times the power of the sun on a sunny day. This calls for adequate surface cooling in the accelerator grids to avoid particle trajectory deviations. “Removal of heat loads will be guaranteed by keeping temperatures as well as mechanical tolerances and deformations tightly controlled, to ensure the required power, uniformity and aiming of the beam,” explains Dr. Pierluigi Zaccaria, Project Leader for the mechanical components. The MITICA injector components alone are cooled by two huge cryopumps – 2.5 meters high and eight meters long – kept cooled at four degrees Kelvin.
| Moving Forward | Associates |
Diagnostic and control
the PRiMa construction site in June 2013. (Picture: Consorzio RFX)
Power supply “Just think about the high voltages involved in operating for a long time and of the systems connecting the supply to the injector. This has never been built before,” says Dr. Vanni Toigo, Project Leader for Power Supplies. He is responsible for construction and operation of the Power Supply and Voltage Distribution System, and collaborates with the Japanese ITER Domestic Agency which procures part of the high voltage power supplies. Generating one MV direct current (DC) voltage and transmitting it to MITICA requires technologies, especially for electrical insulation, which in part do not exist today.
Optimising the injectors for ITER calls for extensive diagnostic systems and for innovative real-time system control. “Fast real-time control is unique among neutral beam injectors,” says Dr. Adriano Luchetta, Project Leader for the Control and Data Acquisition Systems, “it will allow us to iteratively optimise the beam operation without having to modify the power supply control systems.” “A comprehensive set of measurements will be provided, using different techniques – some already exploited in other test facilities, others brand new”, adds Dr. Roberto Pasqualotto, Project Leader for the diagnostics systems. “The data is necessary to determine and verify the operating requirements. ITER provides only a limited number of diagnostic systems and there will be no time to optimise the injector performance.” Talking about the innovative capabilities that are being brought into play in this endeavor, where fusion science and engineering integrate, the PRIMA team radiates confidence. After all, it can draw on the experience with the realisation of previous projects and experiments carried out by Consorzio RFX. Moreover, there is high confidence in the international collaboration for the PRIMA project. ■ Dr Maria Teresa Orlando, Consorzio RFX
PRIMA – Padua Research on ITER Megavolt Accelerator The objective of the PRIMA project is to develop, construct and test the full-size prototype of the ITER neutral beam heating system, NBTF. It comprises two independent test-stands: The negative ion source SPIDER produces hydrogen and deuterium ions and accelerates them with up to 100 kV. MITICA, a first full-size and full performance ITER injector, accelerates these ions up to 1 MeV.
The NBTF collaboration is a truly international collaboration, embedded in the agreements signed by the ITER Organization, F4E and RFX at the end of 2011. Coordinated by F4E, Europe is responsible for procuring the large majority of the NBTF components and it contributes financially to the NBTF design and operation. Other Neutral Beam Heating systems heat a fusion plasma by injecting main components are propowerful beams of neutral particles. Traditionally, they accelerate poscured by Japan and some itive ions and neutralise them before injecting them into the plasma. contributions come from The ITER Neutral Beam system will use negative ion beams, because India. Consorzio RFX hosts the efficiency of neutralising positive ions declines heavily with increasthe NBTF, provides the ing beam power. Its beams have unprecedented energies of one megabuildings, the necessary electronvolt (MeV) and they are on for a much longer time (up to one site adaptations and the hour) than today’s systems (several tens of seconds). Each of the currently team to design and operplanned two injectors transmits 16.5 MW of power. ate the facility.
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FUSION IN EUROPE | Moving Forward | Associates |
Tore Supra becomes
WEST
the transformation from the present circular limiter geometry of tore supra to the required X-point conďŹ guration will be achieved by installing a set of copper poloidal ďŹ eld coils inside the lower and upper parts of the vacuum vessel. (Picture: CEA)
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he Tore Supra tokamak at CEA is famous for its long pulses. In 2003, it set the world record with a plasma lasting for six minutes. Now, 25 years after the first plasma lit up in Tore Supra, the experimental machine starts a new life. It will transform into a test bed dedicated to ITER divertor issues: WEST – Tungsten (W) Environment in Steady-state Tokamak.
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WEST fills a gap in the tungsten R&D in Europe as it investigates actively cooled tungsten divertor components in a fusion device. It rounds off the strong R&D programme on tungsten plasma facing components that has been implemented in Europe for more than ten years. Designed for long pulse operation, Tore Supra is the only European tokamak combining superconducting toroidal magnetic field coils, actively watercooled plasma facing components and adequate additional heating systems. It holds the world record of injected/extracted energy in a one mega-amp class tokamak at a multi-megawatt (MW) level: During a 400 second plasma pulse, into which three MW of heating power were injected, its plasma facing components removed one gigajoule of energy from the plasma. Tokamak operation with active cooling lies at the heart of the expertise of the Institute for Magnetic Fusion Research (CEA/IRFM). WEST will bring key insights into steady state operation of a tungsten divertor and its impact on plasma performance. Critical issues are optimisation of the active cooling design, component monitoring during operation, and impact of off-normal events on component ageing.
| Moving Forward | Associates |
modifying tore supra The WEST project is based on a modification of Tore Supra, transforming it into an X-point divertor device. Thus it will be capable of testing the technologies used for the ITER high heat flux components in relevant plasma conditions. The divertor is a crucial component which must handle the highest thermal and particle loads in the vessel. The ITER full tungsten divertor brings new challenges both in terms of industrial series production of actively-cooled tungsten components and in operation. The WEST project addresses both aspects and is targeted at minimising the associated risks. The tungsten components to be tested with the WEST platform will be fully representative of the high heat flux flat parts of the ITER divertor plasma facing units. The same technology will be implemented and operated in similar thermal hydraulic conditions as foreseen for ITER (Water pressure and temperature during operation/conditioning: 35/60 bars and 100/200 °C). In addition the modular design of the WEST divertor sectors will offer the possibility to test variants (e.g. detailed design shaping or tungsten grades). The overall number of tungsten elements to be manufactured for WEST represents roughly 15 percent of the amount needed for ITER, which makes the WEST procurement a relevant industrial pre-series, contributing to the optimisation of the series manufacturing process for ITER. The WEST configuration will
provide the capability to run long pulses in the high confinement regime (H mode), a plasma operational mode also foreseen for ITER, and test plasma facing components under realistic plasma conditions in terms of pulse duration, heat and particle load. Works to transform Tore Supra into WEST has begun. CEA has already met one-third of the funding required and is confident that these early successes will bring about the support of other partners and will lead to the necessary budget being raised. The internal elements of the Tore Supra tokamak will be modified significantly. A supporting structure for the divertor coils and plasma facing components will replace the Toroidal Pumped Limiter. New components like ICRH antennas, new power supplies for the divertor coils, new diagnostics will be implemented. WEST, which is scheduled to enter into operation in 2016, will provide a key facility to prepare and be prepared for ITER, and is already fully open to international partnerships. ■ Sylvie Gibert, CEA Contact & Information: Dr Jérôme Bucalossi, Head of the WEST Project: Jerome.bucalossi@cea.fr http://tinyurl.com/CEA-WEST To sign up for the WEST newsletter, contact: sylvie.gibert@cea.fr
in May 2013, Cea celebrated the 25th anniversary of first plasma in tore supra. since its inception, this experimental machine has never ceased to evolve in order to adapt to new scientific and technical challenges and to optimise the performance of the plasmas studied. (from left: alain Becoulet, head of the Cea/iRfM, Bruno ely, curator of the Musée granet, Michel Chatelier, former head of the Cea/iRfM). (Picture: CEA)
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FUSION IN EUROPE | Moving Forward | Associates |
FUSION IN EUROPE INVITES:
GÜNTHER OETTINGER fusion’s role in europe’s low cArBon energy future
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ix years ago the EU set itself ambitious energy and climate change objectives for 2020 – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 %, to increase the share of renewable energy to 20 % and to make a 20 % improvement in energy efficiency. This triggered major efforts at EU-level as well as across Member States in a number of areas, starting with the adoption of the EU directives on energy efficiency, renewables and emission trading scheme and ending with developments in research, technology and demand-side management. These are the first steps in what will be a radical restructuring of the energy landscape. Keeping in mind the grand vision of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 80 – 95 % by 2050, while improving Europe’s competitiveness and ensuring security of supply, the European Commission together with stakeholders is currently considering the type, nature and level of climate and energy targets that could be set for 2030. The EU Energy Roadmap 2050, tabled by the Commission at the end of 2011, presents various possible scenarios leading towards the 80 – 95 % decarbonisation objective. Based on the analysis of a set of scenarios, the document describes the consequences of a carbon free energy system and the policy framework needed. This should allow member states to make the required energy choices and create a stable business climate for private investment, especially until 2030. Of the five decarbonisation scenarios, three are based on the assumption that nuclear energy (14 – 19 %) will retain a significant role in the electricity mix. This is based on the belief, that Member States wishing to exploit nuclear technology will either extend operation of existing plants or build the latest ‘Generation-III’ plants. The Commission therefore continues to play a key role in ensuring that safety remains paramount in the use of nuclear energy. Fusion research is aimed at developing a safe, abundant and environmentally sound energy source. The EFDA roadmap on fusion energy, endorsed recently by Europe’s fusion research stakeholders, foresees the operation of a ‘DEMO’ plant, which would supply electricity to the grid, by the middle of the 21st century. This would be followed by a FOAK (first of a kind) power plant and then commercial deployment of fusion in the second half of the century. To this end the successful construction and exploitation of ITER, which
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Eu commIssIonEr For EnErgy, günthEr h. oEttIngEr was Minister-President of the German State Baden-Württemberg from 2005 until he took over the position as Commissioner in February 2010. He studied law and economics in Tübingen, Germany, and worked as lawyer and CEO of an auditing and tax consulting firm. Between 1984 and 2010 he was member of the State Parliament of Baden-Württemberg. Oettinger is a member of the Governing Board and the Federal Executive Committee of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU Deutschland). will be the first fusion facility to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion power at the reactor scale, cannot be underestimated. As one of the world’s largest joint research endeavours, ITER is a challenge not only scientifically but also organisationally. The European Atomic Energy Community is the main contributor to this cutting-edge project, and I am personally committed to ensuring its success. I hope that the European fusion community will put all their efforts into this project and that it will become a showcase for fusion science and technology in general and for European competences and know-how in particular. The Euratom programme in Horizon 2020 will be an important opportunity to show our commitment and make significant progress along the EFDA roadmap. Fusion has all the right credentials to contribute to the supply of plentiful, competitive and sustainable energy in the longer term. Although few of us will live to see the full realisation of this energy form we have a responsibility towards future generations to carry out the necessary R&D and explore all the avenues. I am convinced that if we join our forces in Europe and collaborate effectively with our international partners we will reach these ambitious goals.
| JETInsight |
the Joint europeAn torus, Jet europe’s lArgest fusion device – funded And used in pArtnership
the Jet vessel in May 2011, featuring the complete iteR-Like wall. (Picture: EFDA)
eFDa provides the work platform to exploit JeT in an efficient and focused way. More than 40 european fusion laboratories collectively contribute to the JeT scientific programme and develop the hardware of the machine further. The tokamak is located at the culham science centre near oxford in the uK. it is funded by euraToM, by the european associates, and by uK’s fusion associate, the culham centre for Fusion energy (ccFe) as host. ccFe operates the JeT facilities including carrying out the maintenance and refurbishment work required to realise the given scientific goals.
FUSION IN EUROPE | JETInsight | 1983 25th June 1983 very first plasma achieved at Jet
30 YEARS OF JET – pavin
1984 9th April Jet officially opened by her Majesty Queen elizabeth ii
1991 9th november the world’s first controlled release of fusion energy
1993 Jet converted to divertor configuration
1997 world record! Jet produces 16 megawatts of fusion power
EFDA Leader Francesco Romanelli toasted the assembled crowd of current and ex-JET staff.
1998
remote handling first used for invessel work
2000 the collective use of Jet and its scientific programme becomes managed through efdA
2006 Jet starts operation with iter-like magnetic configurations
2009–2011 installation of the iter-like wall
2012 Jet reports first encouraging results with the iter like wall
2013 onwards Jet continues to support iter
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P
eople from all sections of the fusion research community came together at Culham to celebrate JET’s 30th birthday, on the 24th and 25th of June. Over two days various events brought together former staff with their current counterparts, while stakeholders from the local community and the broader European context mingled with journalists from around Europe. Those who could not attend in person were able to follow the presentations remotely; including a large contingent of exJET personnel that gathered at the ITER site and were able to convey their best wishes to the party-goers at Culham.
The focus was on the future and JET’s critical role in the development and testing of ITER design and operational scenarios. The group of journalists that attended went away aware and enthused that JET remains a big part of fusion’s future. A big thank you to the Anniversary team within EFDA and CCFE, who pulled the many events together.
| JETInsight | 1983
g the way to iter’s take off
25th June 1983 very first plasma achieved at Jet
1984 Toast to the future of JET and ITER! From left: Jean Jaquinot (JET Director 1999), Paul Henri Rebut (JET Director 1985–1992), Hans Otto Wüster’s (JET Director 1978–1985) widow Gisela Wüster, Martin Keilhacker (JET Director 1992–1999), Francesco Romanelli (EFDA and JET Leader), Jerôme Pamela (JET Director 2000–2006)
9th April Jet officially opened by her Majesty Queen elizabeth ii
1991 9th november the world’s first controlled release of fusion energy
1993 Jet converted to divertor configuration
Old colleagues had the chance to catch up with each other – Jerome Pamela (JET director 2000 – 2006 ) chats with Sir Chris LlewellynSmith (former director UKAEA Culham).
1997 world record! Jet produces 16 megawatts of fusion power
1998 remote handling first used for invessel work
2000 the collective use of Jet and its scientific programme becomes managed through efdA
2006 Jet starts operation with iter-like magnetic configurations
“To meet Europe’s energy challenge, we will need a portfolio of options. The potential of fusion power is almost unlimited and it is vital to get it on the grid. Thanks to JET, we know how to make fusion work. Testing technology on JET today saves time for ITER tomorrow.”
2009–2011 installation of the iter-like wall
2012 Jet reports first encouraging results with the iter like wall
EFDA Leader Francesco Romanelli presents the European Roadmap to fusion electricity.
2013 onwards Paul-Henri Rebut (JET director 1985–1992)
Jet continues to support iter
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FUSION IN EUROPE | JETInsight | 1983 25th June 1983 very first plasma achieved at Jet
1984 9th April Jet officially opened by her Majesty Queen elizabeth ii
1991 9th november the world’s first controlled release of fusion energy
1993 Jet converted to divertor configuration
After the formal presentations a large crowd gathered in the marquee.
1997 world record! Jet produces 16 megawatts of fusion power
1998
remote handling first used for invessel work
2000 the collective use of Jet and its scientific programme becomes managed through efdA
2006 Jet starts operation with iter-like magnetic configurations
2009–2011 installation of the iter-like wall
2012 Jet reports first encouraging results with the iter like wall
2013 onwards Jet continues to support iter
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During a live cross with the ITER site, ex-JET staff now working at ITER sent their congratulations to those onsite in the marquee. To celebrate toroidal geometry doughnuts were served. Clearly still a favourite with Paul-Henri Rebut and Jerome Pamela.
“JET has created a culture of science and engineering across Europe that goes beyond fusion. It serves as an example to follow for other international projects.“ András Siegler, Director European Commission, DG Research and Innovation, opened proceedings on June 25.
| JETInsight | 1983 25th June 1983 very first plasma achieved at Jet
1984 9th April Jet officially opened by her Majesty Queen elizabeth ii
1991 9th november the world’s first controlled release of fusion energy
At the time of the re-enactment of JET’s original pulse a crowd assembled in the control room to compare the original equipment that measured the first pulse’s plasma current and emitted light …
1993 Jet converted to divertor configuration
… with the state of the art now. We’ve come a long way! 1997 world record! Jet produces 16 megawatts of fusion power
The younger generation showed just how far we have come – Session Leader Maximos Tsalas points out details to former director Rebut.
1998 remote handling first used for invessel work
2000 the collective use of Jet and its scientific programme becomes managed through efdA
2006 Jet starts operation with iter-like magnetic configurations
2009–2011 installation of the iter-like wall
Journalists from around Europe, including Roberto Rizzo from Italy and Ana Mellado from Spain toured the torus hall with JET Director Francesco Romanelli.
2012 Jet reports first encouraging results with the iter like wall
2013 onwards Text: Phil Dooley, EFDA; all pictures: EFDA
Jet continues to support iter
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FUSION IN EUROPE | JETInsight |
JET restarts to exploit the ITER-Like-Wall further
some of the tiles lining Jet’s inner wall will be deliberately misaligned tiles to test the material behaviour of tungsten. (Picture: EFDA)
B
y the time you read this, JET will
be back in operation and in its 31st year. It is remarkable that it is
still state-of-the-art, but the combination of excellent design and continuous upgrades has kept JET at the forefront of fusion technology.
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The primary focus of the first JET campaigns with the ITER-Like-Wall was to study the interaction of the plasma with beryllium and tungsten plasma facing components. The impact of the materials on plasma behaviour and operating space was very dramatic, with many surprises. Now that the basic JET and ITER operating scenarios have been re-established along with the benefits and challenges of the new materials, the upcoming campaigns will focus on pushing to higher fusion performance by making full use of the upgraded heating power. The programme also includes time to follow through the studies of the most critical physics issues identified in the first campaigns. A wide variety of experiments have been agreed for the next campaigns. To achieve this, a practical planning assumption has been made that JET will be available about 85 percent of the time, ensuring that there is some flexibility in usage of the machine. This is an important part of planning, as maintenance activities have to be accommodated in the operation of a large and complex plant like this.
| JETInsight | Fuel retention and removal continues to be a hot topic. The new wall components retain much less fuel than the old carbon tiles. Not only are the scientists interested in quantifying this further, but they are interested in finding the best ways to remove trapped fuel. Essentially there are two methods of doing this, namely raising the temperature and bombarding the surface with energetic particles. For ITER this information will prove important for the period where it starts to use tritium.
Plasma scenarios and impurities
Deliberate melt-experiments
The largest amount of experimental time is dedicated to the development of the JET high performance ‘baseline’ and ‘hybrid’ scenarios – different plasma configurations that promise to be useful as fusion technology develops. In hybrid scenarios the physicists attempt to alter the magnetic field’s ‘twist’ in the plasma in such a way that a lower current is required to achieve high confinement. This has several benefits, including a reduction of the forces that are produced in the event of a plasma disruption. There are still different opinions about how to best implement hybrid scenarios, and much experimental time will be devoted to a better understanding of these plasmas. The role of impurities in the plasma is also considered highly important and a large proportion of the time will be devoted to studying them. Some experiments will focus on deliberate injection of impurities – nitrogen or neon – to study how heat can be radiated from the plasma edge effectively by them. Other sessions will study the unwanted impurities that are inevitably present in the plasma with a view to minimising their effect on performance. Impurity control has always been an important topic in tokamaks, and it will probably remain so for years to come. With the new metal wall it is found that carbon is no longer the principal impurity; however traces of tungsten can have a strong effect on the core plasma and so control measures are a priority area.
Perhaps the most surprising experiments are those where tungsten plasma facing components will be deliberately melted. Some tiles have been prepared in such a way that the plasma can be positioned to cause a specific type of damage which is of interest to ITER and only accessible in a large machine such as JET. These tiles have sharp edges that are raised above the normal tile surface, which is the opposite of normal practice where efforts are made to shadow the leading edges behind another tile. A region in the divertor where the plasma does not usually touch has been selected so that the other experiments in the campaign should not be affected. For the melting experiments the strike point of the plasma can be directed onto them. This experiment is not just in the interests of science but a response to a specific request from ITER. It will contribute to the final design of its plasma facing components. It could potentially save ITER a few hundred million euros if it can be built with a tungsten divertor without having to build one with carbon components for early operation. It seems likely that the JET control room will be well attended for these exciting sessions. ■ Nick Balshaw, CCFE
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FUSION IN EUROPE | JETInsight |
Co-pilots of JET
eva Belonohy from asdeX upgrade at iPP and Luca garzotti from Mast at CCfe are among the Jet session leader trainees.
R
emember when you were learning
to drive a car? It seemed incredibly difficult – recalling which pedal to
push or lever to move, while still keeping a close eye on the road ahead seemed more than the human brain could cope with. So imagine how trainees learning to run JET feel: How could one possibly feel confident enough about all the systems that go together to make the world’s largest fusion experiment?
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For a start, the task of “running” JET is divided between two roles, the Session Leader and the Engineer-inCharge, both of which are rostered between a number of qualified people. At a broad level the session leader is in charge of the scientific aims of the experiment, while the Engineer-in-Charge makes sure that the systems are functioning properly and are used safely. JET’s operation is organised into scientific campaigns which are around six to twelve months long. A campaign consists of a series of experiments, each of which might span over a number of days – a day comprises two shifts, each with a separate Engineer-in-Charge and Session Leader.
| JETInsight | In contrast the 24 Session Leader lectures and ten hours of practical exercises are grouped into a weekIn a given shift the Session Leader’s role is to work tolong training at JET to allow for scientists from all around wards the current experimental goals, picking up where Europe to take part. They too then spend ten to fifteen the previous shift left off. To do this they need to be not shifts alongside experienced session leaders only accomplished learning the ropes. This means the training physicists, they need “I love working on the machines has to be conducted just before an experito understand the and being in the control room.” mental campaign commences so that the current experiment, trainees are able to gain as much experiEvA BELONhy and they need to ence as possible throughout the full length know what JET is of the campaign. “It’s quite a daunting task, capable of. For instance they need to know how to create the first time they see the 17-page spreadsheet of checks the type of plasma scenario required for the experiment. and balances that they have to type in as a session The Engineer-in-Charge oversees the systems as they leader!” says George Sips. Session leaders are drawn execute the plan of the Session Leader, ensuring everyfrom a range of backgrounds, he points out. “Some are thing is safe for both equipment and personnel. They technical, while others have the scientific know-how, have the ultimate authority over JET during their shift, and others are software modelling whiz-kids”. Similarly and take advice from engineers from all the different arthe Engineers-in-Charge could come from any area of eas: power supplies, gases and vacuum systems, heating JET, for example diagnostics, cryogenics, beams, or active systems, measurement systems and the computer systems gas handling. – both safety systems and data acquisition. In actuality the lines blur somewhat and the two roles cooperate strong teamwork closely, says Dr George Sips, from Operations in the To gain the breadth of knowledge required for these JET department, who runs part of the Session Leader roles requires a big commitment. Engineers-in-Charge training. “Session Leaders have to be creative, to do as are expected to do at least two shifts per week. Session much as you can with the machine, but within safe Leaders, generally only have one shift a week, but even limits. The Engineer in Charge can’t check every single this amounts to a heavy load, says Sips. “Typical prepathing; they have to rely on the other person!” ration for a session is one to two days, then a day in the Coordinator of the Engineer-in-Charge training, Dr control room, and then reporting to the meetings afterStuart Knipe, also emphasises the flexibility required of wards.” Of the forty-five Session Leader trainees in the the Engineer-in-Charge in the face of a creative Session 2012 program, only the best ten were taken. This qualiLeader: “It’s an experiment; things change, it’s not always fies them to run only simple plasmas, less than 2.5 Mega black and white, you need to use your nous and your amperes plasma current – to gain a full licence, to run engineering intuition.” plasmas up to four mega-amps takes another 2 – 3 years. Extensive trainings Despite the wellrounded training Both training regimes are extensive and in“I enjoy working on MAST, program, people clude lectures, practical exercises and then an have individual and to learn the complexities of extended apprenticeship of sitting alongside a strengths and range of experienced staff to watch and learn, JET was a clear step forward.” weaknesses, and and then gradually taking the reins. There is LUCA GARzOTTI the success of the not a regular intake for trainees, as it can be experiment is difficult to find a good time to schedule a trainvery much a product of strong teamwork between the ing programme. However when the numbers of Session two roles. In fact the Engineer in Charge training even Leaders or Engineers-in-Charge begin to decline, then a includes a lecture from experienced session leader Peter call is issued, often during the lower intensity times such Lomas entitled “Understanding the Session Leader”. as a maintenance shutdown. Says coordinator of Says Stuart Knipe: “A big part of it is interacting with Engineer-in-Charge training Stuart Knipe. “We put a call the people, to get the maximum out of the session.” It out to department managers to nominate people who can take over a year to become a qualified Engineer in are capable, available and willing.” The trainee EngineersCharge, but Knipe says the thrill of running the world’s in-Charge receive 32 lectures over a six month period, largest fusion experiment is worth it. “It takes a lot of and then sit in on ten shifts with different Engineers-inyour time, but it’s a fun role!” ■ Phil Dooley, EFDA Charge.
session leader and Engineer-in-charge
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FUSION IN EUROPE | JETInsight |
JET GuesTbooK Some of the nearly 1800 visitors who came to JET from January through June 2013: ■ 238 university students attended tours and information days ■ 420 school students, along with 35 teachers, learned about fusion and JET ■ 160 industry professionals came came for information and networking ■ 280 scientists came for workshops and discussions ■ Around thirty journalists journalists and film crews visited ■ 100 former JET staff celebrated JET’s 30th anniversary with us ■ In April the French Embassy’s Science Attaché, Cyrille van Effenterre, paid a visit to JET. The French Embassy in London has a special connection to JET, as it fincancially supports a French-European student exchange. The programme allows around four to five French students per year to spend between three and six months at JET. ■ from left: francesco Romanelli (efda Leader), Catherine soltane (head of efda administration), Cyrille van effenterre, Lorne horton (head of efda Jet department). (Picture: EFDA)
■ Members of the European Parliament and its Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), together with representatives of the European Comission DG Research and Innovation came in March for discussions. ■ from left: duarte Borba, Lorne horton (efda), sandor zoletnic (vice Chairman efda staC) tim Jones (CCfe), Roger Cashmore (Chair of the united kingdom atomic energy authority), francesco Romanelli (efda Leader), edith herczog (MeP, itRe), steve Cowley (CCfe), andrás siegler (european Commission, dg Research and innovation – director energy), Rudolf strohmeier (european Commission, deputy director-general Research and innovation) . not shown: Mr James elles, MeP. (Picture: EFDA)
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| Community | People |
YOUNG FACES OF FUSION – JOHANN RIESCH Johann Riesch is a mechanical engineer and investigates materials for fusion. He recently passed his PhD with distinction at TU München (and IPP) and now works as postdoctoral researcher at IPP. The picture shows him and his daughter hiking near Tegernsee. (Picture: private)
Johann, what is your research about? I am developing methods to enhance tungsten with tungsten fibres, in order make it less brittle. Tungsten is the foreseen wall material for fusion reactors, and its brittleness is still a serious problem. How did you come to fusion science? Well, I studied mechanical engineering and chose material sciences and aerospace engineering as major subjects. I have always wanted to work on something challenging and idealistic. As a student I had met Harald Bolt, who was then director for material sciences at IPP. I approached him about a PhD project and he referred me to Jeong-Ha You. The project and the environment at IPP appealed to me, so I started. Is the international environment, that fusion science takes place in, important for you? I carried out part of my PhD work within the European project FEMAS, whose aim was to connect fusion research with Europe’s materials scientists and their facilities. That was really good for me, because at IPP we do not really have the means to fabricate materials, but
we have a material problem to solve. Through FEMAS I could build up a network across Europe and find the right collaborators for manufacturing and characterising our materials. The strong expertise in fusion materials embedded in such an international network is quite unique here at IPP. With your new position, you will continue working in fusion research. Did the idea of working on a future energy source influence that decision? It would be a lie to say that I had always wanted to do fusion research. But I am drawn to that idealistic idea, which is also somehow connected to Max Planck, that one should try to solve the really big problems. And the other fascinating aspect of course is the fact that we are trying to crack the hardest research problem one can possibly think of. Do you have a dream job where you would like to be in, let’s say ten years? Judging from my current situation, I would really like to continue doing materials research at IPP. ■
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FUSION IN EUROPE | Community | People |
A PHYSICIST
AMONG ThE ENGINEERS
B
eing responsible for the DEMO conceptual
design, the EFDA Power Plant Physics and Technology Department comprises mostly
engineers. Recently, EFDA appointed fusion scientist Ronald Wenninger to ensure that the design work reflects the current physical knowledge. Ronald, how does it feel to work as a plasma physicist within a group of engineers? It is really fascinating! I enjoy working at this interface between physics and engineering. What are you doing in your job? Our department prepares the step from ITER to DEMO. It is important to work on this now in order to enable a fast track to fusion energy. I am responsible for DEMO physics integration. My job is to make sure that as much of the available physical knowledge as possible enters our design considerations. The core of our investigations is a system code, which models the full DEMO plant with a relatively low level of detail. We use this code to find an optimum set of key parameters of DEMO such as dimensions, magnetic field, plasma current etc. In order to keep this consistent with the current knowledge we employ stateof-the-art physics codes to investigate partial aspects, for example plasma stability, with a much higher level of detail. After your physics studies, you worked as a physics teacher. Why did you later enter fusion science? After a few years in school, I needed new ideas and new challenges. I was able to start working for EFDA at JET in the area of machine operation. Later I was involved in various fields, for instance in the ITER-Like-Wall project and in the high frequency pellet injector project,
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for which I became deputy project leader. Plasma physics, though, was quite new to me. I began reading the scientific literature and really enjoyed studying again. In my spare time I started to do my own research. When I returned to Germany, I got the opportunity to do a PhD at IPP with Hartmut Zohm as supervisor. I consider myself really lucky, because I could learn endlessly from him. You successfully finished your PhD some months ago – what is it about? Generally speaking, it is about the physics of edge localized modes (ELMs). This is a hot topic in fusion science, as ELMs cannot be tolerated in future fusion devices. There are non-linear processes during the evolution of an ELM and in order to predict an ELM correctly, one needs to understand these better. I compared ELM simulations with data from experiments in ASDEX Upgrade at IPP and in TCV at CRPP. My work led to a more complete picture of the processes during ELMs. Eventually it might also contribute to an ELM model, which is capable of reliably predicting ELM sizes and evolution. Will you still find time for your band, then? Oh, yes! Together with Harmut Zohm, Thomas Eich and some others I am playing in a band called “Arbitrary Unit”. We do vintage rock and modern tunes – just cover songs. I sing and play guitar. ■
| Community | In dialogue |
IDEAS 2020 – hOw TO SOLvE TODAy’S MAjOR ChALLENGES
f
usion is one of the research fields presented by the interactive exhibition “Ideas 2020 – A Tour of Tomorrow’s World”. German Federal Minister of Education and Research, Prof. Dr. Johanna Wanka, opened the exhibition of the Helmholtz Association in March 2013 in Berlin. Now the show is touring the country, highlighting some of the major scientific research projects being carried out in Germany. Visitors encounter seven pillars; each representing a great challenge society faces today. Multi-touch screens provide fascinating insights into the work of scientists and allow visitors to ask questions about the future. One of those challenges – represented by an ice block – is the question how to organise a climate-friendly energy supply. It also showcases IPP’s research towards a future fusion power plant. ■ More information: http://www.ideen2020.de/en
(Picture: Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft)
MAT21 – A MAGAzINE FOR CzECh hIGh SChOOL STUDENTS
i
n the Czech Republic, the project “Materials for the New Millenium (MAT21)” brings science closer to primary and secondary school students. It supports school activities such as study projects or amateur and hobby circles with videos, lectures for students and for teachers or visit-days. Covering fusion and some materials science, IPP Prague participates in the programme and contributes to the project’s magazine, MAT21. Published four times a year, MAT21 covers mainly the fields of astronomy and fusion. It is distributed to libraries, hobby circles and to project partners. IPP also plans to host Fusion Expo in connection to MAT21 next year. The MAT21 project is funded by the Czech Ministry of education, youth and sports, partly with support by the European Social Fund. It started in July 2012 and will last for two years. Vitkovice, a Czech R&D company, is the main sponsor of the MAT21 project. ■
Contact & information: Milan Ripa, IPP Prague: ripa@ipp.cas.cz MAT 21 (Czech): http://www.materialy21.cz IPP Prague: www.ipp.cas.cz
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FUSION IN EUROPE | Community | In dialogue |
Fusion in china. Prof Jiangang Li, Director of the
THE STATE OF FUSION RESEARCH
WORLDWIDE
I
n May, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) invited high-level representatives of fusion research worldwide to discuss the progress being made in this field. Swiss Associate CRPP, which is part of EPFL, organised the conference in order to present the European Roadmap for Fusion Electricity – along with comparable plans laid out in other parts of the world. About 200 people attended the event, among them mostly scientists, but also industry representatives, teachers and other interested persons. Professor Philippe Gillet, EPFL Vice-President for Academic Affairs, opened the meeting and emphasised the importance of nuclear fusion as a safer means of energy production compared to nuclear fission. Following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Switzerland has confirmed its commitment to fusion research while gradually stepping out from nuclear fission.
Academia Sinica Institute for Plasma Physics, gave an overview of the progress of fusion activities in China. There has been a formidable increase in governmental investment in recent years, which is reflected in over ten university programs for fusion physics and three theoretical centers with activities worth 40 – 60 million USD each year. China features a number of tokamaks for fusion research, including the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak EAST. China’s future in fusion lies in its participation in the ITER project, the construction and exploitation of the Chinese Fusion Engineering Testing Reactor CFETR, which aims to produce 200 megawatts of fusion power in the mid2030s.
Fusion in the us.
According to Professor James W. Van Dam, Director, Research Division Fusion Energy Sciences, US Department of Energy, the US holds fusion in high regard. Examples are the numerous national fusion facilities, its international partnership with the ITER project and activities such as the National Spherical Torus Experiment in Princeton University, which aims to improve plasma configurations in fusion reactors.
Fusion in Europe. Dr Francesco Romanelli, EFDA Leader and EFDA Associate Leader for JET, delineated Europe’s fusion roadmap, which focuses on providing fusion electricity to the grid by 2050. The JET Project has been successful in generating fusion power in the nineties, although not with a favourable energy balance. The key step in this roadmap is to construct and exploit ITER, in order to verify the feasibility of fusion power and then to construct DEMO, a reactor providing hundreds of megawatts of electric fusion power. Closing the talks, Dr Henrik Bindslev, Director General of Fusion for Energy, gave an overview of the ITER project. He characterised ITER’s mission as setting standards and norms in the field of fusion and furthering its agenda by strengthening the industrial competitiveness of fusion technologies. However, he commented that ITER faces challenges ahead, especially in better understanding the behaviour of hot plasma and in the selection and/or development of suitable materials that can sustain large heat loads. ■ Nik Papageorgiou, Yves Martin, Andrea Testa, EPFL
in front of the tCv tokamak at CRPP, Prof M.Q. tran, director general CRPP, Prof a. fasoli, executive director CRPP, Prof J. Li, dr h. Bindslev, dr f. Romanelli, Prof J. van dam. (Picture: EPFL)
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Contact & Information: Slide download: http://crpp.epfl.ch/fusionday13 Dr Yves Martin, CRPP yves.martin@epfl.ch
| NewsFlash |
NEWSFLASH Last steel seam of Wendelstein 7-X sewn up The last open seam on the steel outer cover of the Wendelstein 7-X fusion device was brazed shut in May. The core of the stellarator – its basic skeleton – is thus ready and can go into operation in Greifswald, Germany in 2014. When completed, Wendelstein 7-X will be the world’s largest fusion device of the stellarator type. It is a ring-shaped device being installed as five almost structurally identical modules: Each of the five sections of the plasma vessel, along which 14 magnet coils are strung, is enclosed by a steel outer sheath, weighing altogether 120 tons. Assembled like slices of cake on the machine’s foundation, the five modules form a steel ring from which protrude numerous connection ports – inlets for measurement systems, heating facilities and pumps. The 254th and last port was brazed in between the plasma vessel and outer vessel with millimetre precision on 28 May 2013. The elaborate port installation lasted two years. This was preceded by an equally long test phase – “a huge training session” as installation head Dr. Lutz Wegener put it – during which the methods for exact placement and connection of the variously configured ports to the bizarrely shaped plasma vessel were developed. One of the many challenges: As stainless steel inevitably shrinks at the seam when it is brazed, the components are distorted and change position. Yet, all instruments fed through the ports must act at precisely defined spots inside the plasma. Before installation of Wendelstein 7-X is completed in 2014, there are still a few tasks to be done, such as linking the magnets to their power and helium supplies and doing the interior fittings of the plasma vessel. This will be accompanied by provision of the systems for heating the plasma, the supply facilities for electric power and cooling, machine control and finally the numerous measuring instruments for diagnosing the behaviour of the plasma. Isabella Milch, IPP More information: http://www.ipp.mpg.de/ippcms/eng/presse/pi/05_13_pi.html
Precision work: one of over 250 ports being brazed in the plasma chamber. (Picture: IPP, Anja Richter Ullmann)
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FUSION IN EUROPE | NewsFlash |
NEWSFLASH 7th Karlsruhe International School on Fusion Technologies Karlsruhe, Germany, 2–13 September 2013 Deadline for application: 31 July 2013 This international course is intended for students of engineering and physics currently in technical high schools and universities, particularly after a successful intermediate diploma. PhD students and post-docs in relevant subjects are welcome as well. More information: http://summerschool.fusion.kit.edu
Where is Fusion Expo? Science Centre AHHAA, Tartu, Estonia
17 May – 31 July 2013:
23 – 27 September 2013: Daugavpils University, Latvia
A travelling exhibition financed by EFDA.
www.efda.org
20 – 31 October 2013:
Rust, Germany
1 – 15 November 2013:
Prague, Czech Republic
http://www.efda.org/fusion-expo Contact: Tomaž Skobe, tomaz.skobe@ijs.si
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Watch ex-JET staff recollect the first pulse at JET, 30 years ago. Geoff Cordey recalls the first day of JET, in the days of working Saturdays routinely.
Michel Huguet recalls ten years leading up to JET’s first plasma, from the very first design team meetings in 1973, through to last minute problem solving days before the event.
Paul Thomas recollects the arrangements to display the very first data coming from JET, at the time of its first plasma in June 1983.
Phil Morgan recalls how the torus assumed a crazy angle during the first plasma…
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28 European countries signed an agreement to work on an energy source for the future: EFDA provides the framework, jET, the joint European Torus, is the shared experiment, fusion energy is the goal.
austrian academy of sciences AUSTRIA
B E LG I U M
Bulgarian academy of sciences B U LG A R I A
university of Cyprus CYPRUS
institute of Plasma Physics academy of sciences of the Czech Republic CZECH REPUBLIC
university of tartu E S TO N I A
finnish funding agency for technology and innovation FINLAND
Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives FRANCE
GERMANY
GERMANY
euRatoM hellenic Republic GREECE
wigner Research Centre for Physics HUNGARY
dublin university IRELAND
agenzia nazionale per le nuove tecnologie, l’energia e lo sviluppo economico sostenibile I TA LY
Ministère de l’energie LU X E M B U R G
university of Malta M A LTA
institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion POLAND
instituto superior técnico PORTUGAL
Ministry of education and Research ROMANIA
Comenius university S LO VA K I A
Ministry of education, science, Culture and sport S LO V E N I A
Centro de investigaciones energéticas Medioambientales y tecnológicas S PA I N
swedish Research Council SWEDEN
Centre de Recherches en Physique des Plasmas SWITZERLAND
dutch institute for fundamental energy Research THE NETHERLANDS
UNITED KINGDOM
association euRatoM – university of Latvia L AT V I A
technical university of denmark DENMARK
Max-Planck-institut für Plasmaphysik GERMANY
Lithuanian energy institute LITHUANIA
Our partners:
FRANCE
f4e, S PA I N
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EUROPEAN FUSION DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
ISSN 1818-5355