An overview of Pilot Plant designs based on the advanced tokamak, spherical tokamak and stellarator

A fusion pilot plant study was initiated to evaluate the potential benefits of following the fission development path as an approach for the commercialization of fusion. In such an approach, a fusion pilot plant would bridge the development needs in moving from ITER to a first of a kind fusion power plant. The pilot plant mission would encompass the component test and fusion nuclear science missions yet produce net electricity. In the first phase of the study scoping designs were developed for three different magnetic configuration options: the advanced tokamak (AT), spherical tokamak (ST) and compact stellarator (CS). Critical component features have been added to the designs that impact the general arrangement and maintenance characteristics of each device. The requirements specified in defining the pilot plant challenge the machine configurations developed for each option. Developing multiple options with a consistent set of requirements enables a uniform comparison of configuration and component issues that drive each design. This paper will provide an engineering design overview of each option, address open issues and assess where further work is needed to meet the pilot plant objectives.