ECONOMIC-CONSIDERATIONS OF COMMERCIAL TOKAMAK OPTIONS

Systems studies have been performed to assess commercial tokamak options. Superconducting, as well as normal, magnet coils in either first or second stability regimes have been considered. A spherical torus (ST), as well as an elongated tokamak (ET), is included in this study. The cost of electricity (COE) is selected as the figure of merit, and beta and first-wall neutron wall loads are selected to represent the physics and technology characteristics of various options. The result indicates that the COE of an ET or ST device operating with the same technology requirement (wall load) as a superconducting magnet tokamak is about the same as the COE of a superconducting magnet tokamak in the second stability regime. Therefore, a device like ST or ET appears more attractive in ratings lower than 1200 MW(electric).