In a significant stride toward the future of fusion energy, researchers have identified a promising operational space for managing power exhaust in EU-DEMO, a proposed next-step fusion power plant. The study, led by Dr. Francesco Subba of the NEMO Group at Politecnico di Torino, was recently published in the journal “Published in ‘Nuclear Fusion’.”
Fusion energy, often hailed as the holy grail of clean energy, holds the potential to provide abundant, low-carbon power. However, one of the critical challenges in realizing this potential is managing the immense heat and particle flux exhaust from the fusion reactions. This is where Dr. Subba’s research comes into play.
Using the SOLPS-ITER code, a sophisticated simulation tool, Dr. Subba and his team scanned a wide range of parameters to find an operational space that satisfies several key constraints. These include maintaining low target power fluxes to protect the divertor, minimizing erosion, achieving high helium divertor compression, and keeping impurity concentrations in the core low.
“We identified a non-empty region where this long set of constraints can be satisfied,” Dr. Subba explained. This region corresponds to an upstream density within a range that is large but not necessarily prohibitive, with argon separatrix concentration around 10^-3 and divertor neutral pressure ranging from 40 to 50 Pa.
The implications of this research for the energy sector are substantial. By identifying an operational space that balances these constraints, the study brings us closer to realizing practical fusion power. “This is encouraging, in view of a more detailed analysis to be performed on the best-performance area,” Dr. Subba added.
The study’s findings could shape future developments in fusion energy, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable power generation. As we move towards a low-carbon future, research like this is crucial in making fusion energy a viable option for the energy mix.
In the words of Dr. Subba, “This is a significant step forward, but there’s still much work to be done. We’re not there yet, but we’re getting closer.” And with each step, we edge closer to a future powered by clean, abundant fusion energy.