Economic viability of large-scale fusion systems
Abstract
A typical modern power generation facility has a capacity of about 1 GWe (Gigawatt electric) per unit. This works well for fossil fuel plants and for most fission facilities for it is large enough to support the sophisticated generation infrastructure but still small enough to be accommodated by most utility grid systems. The size of potential fusion power systems may demand a different viewpoint. The compression and heating of the fusion fuel for ignition requires a large driver, even if it is necessary for only a few microseconds or nanoseconds per energy pulse. The economics of large systems, that can effectively use more of the driver capacity, need to be examined.
- Publication:
-
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A
- Pub Date:
- January 2014
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.nima.2013.05.095
- Bibcode:
- 2014NIMPA.733...51H