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Research

Research

Both KSTAR and ITER are essential routes for DEMO and commercial road development- KSTAR is the cradle of fusion technology independence.

  • Before ITER operation, advanced levels of plasma experiment, control, and analysis capabilities are to be secured. KSTAR is the cradle of R&D, human resource development, and education of underlying technologies for fusion.
    • Participating in ITER does not guarantee the establishment of fusion technology.
  • ITER's prime goal is to demonstrate fusion energy from the engineering point of view, provided that fundamental technologies such as plasma physics are secured.
    To realize such basic technologies, KSTAR is more than essential.
    • With the technologies attained by both KSTAR and ITER, the construction and operation of the DEMO will be carried out, and the construction of a Korean fusion power plant in the 2040s becomes feasible.

Comparison between the KSTAR and the ITER

차세대초전도핵융합연구장치(KSTAR) 장치 이미지

KSTAR Device

국제핵융합실험로(ITER) 장치모형 이미지

ITER Device Model

Comparison between
the KSTAR and the ITER

Parameters KSTAR
(achieved)
ITER
(Baseline)
Remarks
Major radius, R0 [m] 1.8 6.2
  • ITER Aspact Ratio: 3.1
  • KSTAR Aspact Ratio: 3.6
Minor radius, a [m] 0.5 2.0
Elongation, k 2.0(2.16) 1.7
Triangularity, d 0.8 0.33
Plasma shape DN,SN SN
Plasma current, IP[MA] 2.0(1.2) 15
Toroidal field, B0[T] 3.5(3.5) 5.3
H-mode duration[sec] 300(~90) 400
bN 5.0(4.3) ~2.0
Bootstrap current,fbs (~0.5)
Superconductor Nb3Sn,NbTi Nb3Sn,NbTi
Heating /CD [MW] ~ 28(10) ~73
PFC C,W W/Be
Fusion power, Pth[GW] ~0.5

Key technologies we can obtain through KSTAR operation and ITER participation

KSTAR operation

  • Original technology for manufacturing a superconducting fusion device
    • Superconducting magnets
    • Vacuum vessels and plasma diagnostic devices
    • Large-capacity power supplies, etc.
  • Original technology for operating a superconducting fusion device
    • Plasma heating and diagnostic technology
    • High-density plasma generation and control technology
    • Basic research to develop plasma core materials

ITER participation

  • Base technology for designing a fusion reactor
    • Plasma core analysis and control
    • Design of blanket, tritium fuel system, etc.
    • Design of extra-large vacuum vessels, etc.
    • Establishment of industry standards and specifications, etc.
  • Original technology for operating a superconducting fusion device
    • Manufacturing and assembly technology of main components
    • Construction and operation licenses, etc.

Roadmap for Korean fusion energy development

  • Stage 1 Basic research (Government investment)

    2010s
    KSTAR
    • High-performance, high-efficiency long-term operation research
    • Research on fusion control technology
    • Optimization of fusion reactions
    • Optimization of ITER driving skills
    • Serve as a pilot plant for the ITER
  • Stage 2 Basic research & new energy development(Government investment)

    2020s
    ITER
    • Research on fusion fuel and material
    • Research on heat utilization
    • Research on device engineering
    • Research on D-T fusion reactions
    • Research on blanket technology research
  • Stage 3 New energy development (Government & private investment)

    2030s
    DEMO
    • Practical technology development
    • System optimization
    • Realization of economically viable fusion reactors
  • Stage 4 Commercialization of the new energy (Private investment)

    2040s
    Commercialization
    • Construction and operation of commercial power plants
    • Large-capacity electricity production and transmission
    • Development of Korean nuclear fusion power plants
    • Engineering design completion
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