Improved Magnetic Fusion Energy Economics via Massive Resistive Electromagnets

Technical Report · Wed Aug 19 00:00:00 EDT 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/2684· OSTI ID:2684

Woolley, R D

Abandoning superconductors for magnetic fusion reactors and instead using resistive magnet designs based on cheap copper or aluminum conductor material operating at "room temperature" (300 K) can reduce the capital cost per unit fusion power and simplify plant operations. By increasing unit size well beyond that of present magnetic fusion energy conceptual designs using superconducting electromagnets, the recirculating power fraction needed to operate resistive electromagnets can be made as close to zero as needed for economy without requiring superconductors. Other advantages of larger fusion plant size, such as very long inductively driven pulses, may also help reduce the cost per unit fusion power.

• Research Organization: Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH03073
• OSTI ID: 2684
• Report Number(s): PPPL-3312; ON: DE00002684
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION
Thermonuclear Reactors
Materials
Electromagnets
Operating Cost
Capitalized Cost
Cost Benefit Analysis