The value of fusion energy to a decarbonized United States electric grid

Journal Article · 16 March 2023 · Joule

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2023.02.006 · OSTI ID:1970756

Schwartz, Jacob A.  ^[1]; Ricks, Wilson ^[2]; Kolemen, Egemen  ^[3]; Jenkins, Jesse D. ^[4]

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1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
2. Princeton University, NJ (United States)
3. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States); Princeton University, NJ (United States); Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton, NJ (United States)
4. Princeton University, NJ (United States); Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton, NJ (United States)

Fusion could be a part of future decarbonized electricity systems, but it will need to compete with other technologies. In particular, pulsed tokamak plants have a unique operational mode, and evaluating which characteristics make them economically competitive can help select between design pathways. Using a capacity expansion and operations model, here we determined cost thresholds for pulsed tokamaks to reach a range of penetration levels in a future decarbonized US Eastern Interconnection. The required capital cost to reach a fusion capacity of 100 GW varied from $2,700 to $7,500 kW^-1, and the equilibrium penetration increases rapidly with decreasing cost. The value per unit power capacity depends on the variable operational cost and on the cost of its competition, particularly fission, much more than on the pulse cycle parameters. These findings can therefore provide initial cost targets for fusion more generally in the United States.

• Research Organization: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; Princeton Zero-Carbon Technology Consortium; General Electric; Google; ClearPath
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-09CH11466
• OSTI ID: 1970756
• Journal Information: Joule, Vol. 7, Issue 4; ISSN 2542-4351
• Publisher: Elsevier - Cell PressCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English