System analysis study for Korean fusion DEMO reactor

A conceptual design study for a steady-state Korean fusion DEMO reactor (K-DEMO) has been initiated. Two peculiar features need to be noted. First, the major radius is designed to be just below 6.5 m, considering practical engineering feasibilities. But still, high magnetic field at the plasma center around 8 T is expected to be achieved by using current state-of-the-art high performance Nb3Sn strand technology. Second, a two-stage development plan is being considered. In the first stage, K-DEMO will demonstrate a net electricity generation but will also act as a component test facility. Then, after a major upgrade, K-DEMO is expected to show a net electric generation on the order of 300 MWe and the competitiveness in cost of electricity (COE). Feasibility of such a practical, near-future demonstration reactor is studied in this paper, based on a zero dimensional system analysis code study. It was shown that a net electric generation on the order of 300 MWe can be achieved below the optimistic βN limit of 5. The elongation of K-DEMO is around 1.8 with single null configuration. Detailed optimization process and the resultant various plasma parameters are described.

► A conceptual design study for a steady-state K-DEMO has been initiated. ► The major radius is designed to be below 6.5 m, considering engineering feasibilities. ► Magnetic field at the plasma center around 8 T is achieved by using Nb3Sn technology. ► Feasibility of near-future DEMO reactor is studied with a system analysis code. ► A net electric generation on the order of 300 MWe can be achieved below the βN of 5.