Monaco ºÚÁÏÉçapp International Fusion Energy Days—Part II
3 Dec 2010
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David Campbell, Plasma Operations Directorate
The Côte d'Azur was the exceptional setting for the first MIIFED conference. Photos: Sylvano.
The first edition of the , which was organized in the Principality from 23 to 25 November, provided a comprehensive view of what is at stake today in the world of energy and a clear perspective on how fusion and ºÚÁÏÉçapp can help to meet the challenges of the coming decades.
After hearing the by Prince Albert II, participants were given a rare opportunity to understand how these challenges were addressed by each of the ºÚÁÏÉçapp Members. Day one of MIIFED offered a fascinating world tour of initiatives, strategies and engagements aimed at meeting an ever growing energy demand.
The second day of the MIIFED event allowed the ºÚÁÏÉçapp to present the new ºÚÁÏÉçapp Baseline to an audience of industry representatives and scientific and technical experts. In addition, to provide the industry representatives with the framework in which they could do business with the ºÚÁÏÉçapp Project, ºÚÁÏÉçapp staff and representatives from the Domerstic Agencies presented the scope of, and modalities for, procurement of ºÚÁÏÉçapp components and services.
In the opening this session, which was chaired by Academician Evgeny Velikhov, Chair of the ºÚÁÏÉçapp Council, ºÚÁÏÉçapp Director-General Osamu Motojima presented the context and need for fusion energy development, and explained some of the scientific challenges associated with confining a burning plasma in ºÚÁÏÉçapp.
The focal points of the Director-General's presentation, however, were the ºÚÁÏÉçapp Baseline, particularly the key cost and schedule aspects, and his proposals for the reorganization of the ºÚÁÏÉçapp management structure, ongoing efforts on cost containment and the progress made in advancing construction of ºÚÁÏÉçapp. The Director-General also emphasized his commitment to meeting the expectations of the ºÚÁÏÉçapp Members to make the ºÚÁÏÉçapp Project successful by adapting the ºÚÁÏÉçapp to the needs of the construction phase to ensure that the schedule is maintained while the project costs are contained.
In view of the orientation of the Day-2 presentation towards the industry representatives participating in MIIFED, subsequent presentations by leading members of ºÚÁÏÉçapp staff dealt with the major technical challenges which we are addressing (and overcoming!) in constructing ºÚÁÏÉçapp.
The presentations made during the day were complemented by "business corners" which allowed the industry to make contact with the Domestic Agencies and with each other.
The presentations reviewed the technologies of the tokamak core, and how we plan to assemble the many components which make up the ºÚÁÏÉçapp Tokamak, together with the auxiliary systems and plant support systems needed to complete the ºÚÁÏÉçapp facility.
Laurent Schmieder, on behalf of the European Domestic Agency "Fusion for Energy" (F4E), presented the progress on the construction of the ºÚÁÏÉçapp buildings, an on-site activity of major interest to industry. Additional presentations on the range of industrial spin-offs which have already emerged from fusion research and on the plans for developing a comprehensive simulation capability for burning plasmas rounded out the picture of fusion as an important scientific and technical research activity as well as an energy development program.
Laurent Schmieder, on behalf of the European Domestic Agency "Fusion for Energy" (F4E), presented the progress on the construction of the ºÚÁÏÉçapp buildings, an on-site activity of major interest to industry. Additional presentations on the range of industrial spin-offs which have already emerged from fusion research and on the plans for developing a comprehensive simulation capability for burning plasmas rounded out the picture of fusion as an important scientific and technical research activity as well as an energy development program.
During the afternoon session, chaired by Yuanxi Wan, Chair of the ºÚÁÏÉçapp Science and Technology Advisory Committee (STAC), staff of the ºÚÁÏÉçapp and Domestc Agencies presented the unique approach of the ºÚÁÏÉçapp Project to the procurement of ºÚÁÏÉçapp components, with the majority of ºÚÁÏÉçapp components, amounting to 90 percent of the value of the project, being supplied "in kind" by the Members through their Domestic Agencies.
These presentations provided guidance to industry on the procedures and rules followed by the ºÚÁÏÉçapp and the Domestic Agencies in placing contracts with industry for both ºÚÁÏÉçapp hardware and the services that ºÚÁÏÉçapp needs to support its activities. To provide guidance to industry on the technology implications of ºÚÁÏÉçapp's status as Basic Nuclear Installation, Deputy Director-General Carlos Alejaldre presented an overview of the ºÚÁÏÉçapp licensing activities and highlighted areas where nuclear regulatory considerations influenced design and manufacturing of components. The day's final presentation was concerned with the framework for on-site working during the construction and assembly phases.
Monaco Postdoctoral Fellow Evgeny Veshchev during the poster session, explaining his research.
The presentations made during the day were complemented by "business corners" which allowed the industry to make contact with the Domestic Agencies and with each other. With ºÚÁÏÉçapp moving into the construction phase, this was an important opportunity to present an up-to-date report on the project status to industry and to provide the participating industrial representatives with an understanding of the commercial framework for involvement in the construction activities.