Overview of the K-DEMO Program
Summary
This presentation provides an overview of the Korean fusion energy development roadmap, focusing on the transition from KSTAR and ITER participation toward the K-DEMO demonstration power plant program. It outlines the national basic promotion plans, technical readiness evaluations, operational scenarios, and updated fast-track strategies utilizing Virtual DEMO simulator systems.
Slide 1 - Title
Overview of the K-DEMO Program January 21, 2019 Y. S. Hwang Center for Advance Research in Fusion Reactor Engineering Seoul National Univ.
10th ITER International School 2019, January 21-25, 2019 KAIST, Daejon, Korea CARFRE (Center for Advance Research in Fusion Reactor Engineering)
Slide 2 - Outline
Outline • Korean Fusion Energy Development via Mid-Entry Strategy • Korean DEMO (K-DEMO) Concept Definition • DEMO Technology Development Strategy
Slide 3 - Korean Fusion Energy Development via Mid-Entry Strategy
Korean Fusion Energy Development via Mid-Entry Strategy • Fusion Energy Development Promotion Law (2007) • Fusion Energy Development Basic Promotion Plan (2006)
Timeline of Fusion Power vs. Year:
- 1968: T-3 (~1W)
- 1979: SNUT-79
- 1980s: ALCARO A, ATC, PLT, PDX, DIII, Alcator C, TFTR, JET
- 1990s: KAIST-T, KT-1, JT-60U (1992), DIII-D, JET/TFTR
- 1995: Basic Plan for National Fusion R&D, KSTAR program initiation
- 2007: KSTAR construction
- ~2025-2035+: ITER
- ~2035+: DEMO
- ~2040+: FPP
KSTAR program (1995), ITER join (2003), Fusion Energy Development Promotion Law (2007), KSTAR construction (2007) leads to major role in ITER construction!
Slide 4 - Korean Fusion Energy Development Basic Promotion Plan (2006)
Korean Fusion Energy Development Basic Promotion Plan (2006)
Vision: Secure sustainable new energy source by technological development and the commercialization of fusion energy
Phase 1 (‘07~‘11):
- Policy Goal: Establishment of a foundation for fusion energy development
- Basic Directions: • Acquisition of operating technology for the KSTAR • Participation in the international joint construction of ITER • Establishment of a system for the development of fusion reactor engineering technology
- Basic Promotion Plan: Basic Promotion Plan 1 (‘07~‘11)
Phase 2 (‘12~‘21):
- Policy Goal: Development of core technology for DEMO
- Basic Directions: • High-performance plasma operation in KSTAR and preparations of the ITER operation • Completion of ITER and acquisition of core technology • Development of core technology for the design of DEMO
- Basic Promotion Plan: Basic Promotion Plan 2 (‘12~‘16), Basic Promotion Plan 3 (‘17~‘21)
Phase 3 (‘22~‘36):
- Policy Goal: Acquiring construction capability of fusion power plants
- Basic Directions: • DEMO design, construction, and demonstration of electricity production • Undertaking of a key role in ITER operations • Completion of reactor core and system design of the fusion power reactor • Commercialization of fusion technology
- Basic Promotion Plan: Basic promotion plan 4 (‘22~‘26), Basic promotion plan 5 (‘27~‘31), Basic promotion plan 6 (‘32~‘36)
Slide 5 - Successful Fast Follower: KSTAR construction (2007) -> ITER
Successful Fast Follower: KSTAR construction (2007) -> ITER
• KSTAR : Strong domestic industry with global fusion network
- Industry participation: 총 69개 기업, 연인원 1,510명 참여 (Total 69 companies, 1,510 person-years)
- Examples: Hyundai Heavy Industries, POSCO, GS E&C, Daewoo E&C, Samsung, Dawon Sys, KAT, etc.
• Fostering Korean industry and human resources via KSTAR -> ITER Construction:
- TF Conductor Delivery (KAT)
- VV Port Fabrication (Hyundai Heavy Industry)
- AC/DC Converter (Dawon Sys)
Slide 6 - Successful 2nd Stage of Fusion Energy Development Plan
Successful 2nd Stage of Fusion Energy Development Plan
• Fostering Korean industry and human resources via KSTAR -> ITER Construction
- TF Conductor Delivery (KAT)
- ITER 진공용기 2섹터 제작 계약체결식 (ITER Vacuum Vessel Sector 2 manufacturing contract signing with Hyundai Heavy Industries, 2016.7.19)
• Successful KSTAR operation
- Operation milestones: High beta, advanced modes (2014, 2015, 2016)
- 2016 KSTAR experiment results: 70s pulse (#17321), Ip=0.45 MA, BT=2.5 T, PNBI=3.8 MW, PECH=0.8 MW, Vloop ~ 0.0-0.1 V, ne,avg ~ 2.7 x 10^19 m^-3, WMHD ~ 0.3-0.25 MJ, beta_N ~ 1.8-1.5 (beta_p ~ 2.4-1.9)
Slide 7 - Korean Fusion Energy Development Plan and ITER Delay
Korean Fusion Energy Development Plan and ITER Delay
Vision: Secure sustainable new energy source by technological development and the commercialization of fusion energy
Phases Overview:
- Phase 1 (‘07~‘11): Establishment of a foundation for fusion energy development
- Phase 2 (‘12~‘21): Development of core technology for DEMO
- Phase 3 (‘22~‘36): Acquiring construction capability of fusion power plants
Impact of ITER Delay:
- ITER council confirms new first plasma date: December 2025
- New schedule for ITER leading to first Plasma in 2025
- Staged approach to lead to new ITER Baseline will further delay the first D-T operation until at least 2035.
Slide 8 - Technical Readiness for DEMO
Technical Readiness for DEMO
Comparison of Readiness Radar Charts (Scale 0-100):
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Korean Fusion Technology level: • Physics & Simulation: ~70 • Core Equipment: ~65 • System Integration: ~50 • Fusion Materials: ~20 • Fusion System / Energy Conversion: ~20 • Fuel Cycle: ~15 • Safety & Licensing: ~25
-
EU Fusion Technology level: • Higher readiness across all categories (Physics ~80, Core Equipment ~75, System Integration ~75, Materials ~50, Fuel Cycle ~50, Safety ~60)
Are we going to be ready for DEMO after Phase 2? No! Korea is very weak in the fields of Fusion materials, Fuel cycle and Energy conversion systems!
Slide 9 - Revised Fusion Energy Development Basic Promotion Plan (2017)
Revised Fusion Energy Development Basic Promotion Plan (2017)
Revision Details:
- Five more years for the Phase 2 reflecting delayed ITER schedule
- Phase 1 (‘07~‘11): 1st Promotion Plan (‘07~‘11)
- Phase 2 (‘12~‘26): • 2nd Promotion Plan (‘12~‘16) • 3rd Promotion Plan (‘17~‘21): “Preparation of Basis for Fusion Reactor Technology Development” • 4th Promotion Plan (‘22~‘26): “DEMO Conceptual Design and Fusion Reactor Technology Development”
- Phase 3 (‘27~‘41): • 5th Promotion Plan (‘27~‘31) • 6th Promotion Plan (‘32~‘36) • 7th Promotion Plan (‘37~‘41)
Slide 10 - DEMO Preparation in the Revised Basic Promotion Plan (2017)
DEMO Preparation in the Revised Basic Promotion Plan (2017)
Securing DEMO preparation via KSTAR and ITER projects:
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DEMO reactor operation technology: • KSTAR R&D (Next-generation operation mode) • ITER operation (Burning plasma) -> Perform Conceptual DEMO Design
-
Fusion reactor technology development: • ITER construction and core technology
Slide 11 - K-DEMO Concept Definition
K-DEMO Concept Definition Demonstrate electricity generation, tritium self-sufficiency with cost data
• From Troyon Beta Limit: Plasma Pressure Limit proportional to beta_N * Ip * BT • Features:
- Similar Size of ITER (engineering approach)
- High field approach (Bo > 7T, Bpeak = 16T)
- Two stages: 2200 MWth -> 3000 MWth
- Extrapolation from KSTAR and ITER operation
• Operational Regimes:
- KDEMO Ia: ~10 MA, beta_N ~4.0
- KDEMO Ib: ~15 MA, beta_N ~2.0
- KDEMO II: ~15 MA, beta_N ~4.0
Reference design of DEMO will be continuously evolving according to the progress of fusion-related R&D while its design guides the R&D.
Slide 12 - DEMO Technology Development Strategy and Roadmap (2018)
DEMO Technology Development Strategy and Roadmap (2018)
• Secure DEMO concept and generate approximate overall project cost:
- Main Parameters: R = 6.8 m, a = 2.1 m, B-center = 7.4 T (peak 16T)
• Establish DEMO roadmap with its technology development strategy:
- Present ITER cost may tell order of magnitude for the DEMO plant cost
- ITER schedule is not anymore ticking clock for DEMO
- Linkage of human and industrial resources from KSTAR to ITER tells that there is a critical transition time to DEMO
=> We may need some kind of Mid-Entry strategy for DEMO !
Slide 13 - K-DEMO Realization from ITER
Mapping components from ITER to K-DEMO:
- Plasma Performances
- Superconducting Magnets
- Coolant System -> BoP (Balance of Plant)
- Blanket -> Breeding Blanket, Heat exchange
- Divertor: Heat Removal
- Heating & Current Drive Systems
Slide 14 - KSTAR R&D Plan for DEMO
KSTAR R&D Plan for DEMO Near-term Upgrade and Research Plan in KSTAR (Y.K. Oh)
• 2008 - 2017: First plasma (ECH 84 GHz) -> Long-pulse H-mode (NBI ~5.5 MW, ECH ~1 MW)
- Long-pulse H-mode research: • Long pulse H-mode (>70s) • ELM research & control (>30s) • Alternative operation modes (ITB, low q, ..)
• 2017 - 2021: Heating upgrade (NBI ~12 MW, ECH ~6 MW)
- Advanced scenario & MHD research: • Stable high beta operation (beta_N > 3.0, T_ion ~ 10 keV) • Advanced mode develop (hybrid, ITB, low q) • MHD & disruption control
• 2021 - 2025+: Divertor upgrade (Tungsten divertor, Detached divertor, Diagnostics), Advanced current drive (LHCD ~4 MW, Helicon CD ~4 MW)
- Steady-state & reactor mode research: • Tungsten divertor & active cooling • Advanced current drive under test (HFS LHCD & Helicon CD) • Steady-state operation (~300s)
Slide 15 - Update DEMO Technology Development Strategy
Update DEMO Technology Development Strategy
• Core technology development plan will be pursued as a first step by concentrating on selected critical items with relevant facilities. Global fusion network and industrial infra for ITER can be utilized. • Two options for DEMO according to the outcome of core technology development:
- Fusion power plant demonstration either in advanced small scale or full scale with an international consortium if needed.
- Simulator-based Virtual DEMO by integrating developed core technology.
Critical Facilities and Important Tasks Table:
- KSTAR: Advanced operational scenario + CD + divertor
- Virtual DEMO: Full power plant validation, design and license tools
- Superconducting Magnet: High temperature superconducting magnets
- Fusion Neutron Sources or IFMIF: Material test facility, tritium production
Slide 16 - First Mover (Accelerated) Path to K-DEMO via Virtual DEMO
First Mover (Accelerated) Path to K-DEMO via Virtual DEMO
Workflow & Linkage:
- KSTAR: Construction, H-mode, ELM, AT Scenario -> Advanced Tokamak Scenario
- ITER: Construction, Licensing, System Integration, Operation (TBM), Alpha heating -> Validation Data, Remote Operation
- Virtual DEMO (Tokamak Simulator, Code Validation): • K-DEMO Design: Tokamak, blanket, BoP, etc. design; License & Codes
- Fusion Reactor Key Engineering Test Facility (Blanket Technology): • Blanket test, Tritium, remote handling, Material irradiation test • Blanket design feedback to Virtual DEMO
- Output: K-DEMO Plant (Reactor Technology + K-DEMO Design)
- Supported by: Basic Fusion Research and Development Program
Slide 17 - Conclusion
Thank you for your attention ! K-DEMO Plant by 2040 ?
Geographic sites in Korea depicted: Seoul, Saemangeum, Yeonggwang, ISBB Daeduck, Uljin, Wolsong, Kori, Kijang.
Slide 18 - K-DEMO Design Parameters (Options)
K-DEMO Design Parameters (Options)
Table of Parameters:
- Major Radius: • Option I: 6.0 m • Option II: 6.8 m • Option III: 7.3 m
- Minor Radius: • Option I: 1.8 m • Option II: 2.1 m • Option III: 2.2 m
- Elongation (k95): 1.8 (all options)
- Magnetic Field (Bo) / Peak Field: 7.4 Tesla / ~ 16 Tesla (all options)
- Divertor Type: Double Null (or Single Null) (all options)
- Bootstrap Current Fraction: ~ 0.6 (all options)
- Normalized beta: ~ 4.0 (all options)
- Plasma Current: • Option I: > 10 MA • Option II: > 12 MA • Option III: > 13 MA
- Total Fusion Power (Neutron): • Option I: 1469 MW • Option II: 2181 MW • Option III: 2736 MW
- Q-value: • Option I: 24 • Option II: 27 • Option III: 30
- Total H&CD Power: • Option I: 140 MW • Option II: 160 MW • Option III: 180 MW
- Thermodynamic Efficiency: 0.35 (all options)
- Gross Electric Power: • Option I: 690 MW • Option II: 1009 MW • Option III: 1258 MW
- Recirculating Fraction: • Option I: 0.8 • Option II: 0.6 • Option III: 0.55
- Recirculating Electric Power: • Option I: 553 MW • Option II: 605 MW • Option III: 692 MW
- Net Electric Power: • Option I: 138 MW • Option II: 403 MW • Option III: 566 MW