Content for the web-site Development of Controlled Nuclear Fusion and Innovative Plasma Technologies within U3 Federal Project of DETSR Comprehensive Program

Pursuant to directive of the President of the Russian Federation No. Pr-104 dated January 21, 2016 on the development and implementation of a national program for the development of controlled nuclear fusion and plasma technologies, ROSATOM together with Kurchatov Institute Research Center and organizations of the Russian Academy of Sciences has developed a draft national development program for controlled nuclear fusion and plasma technologies for the period up to 2035.

The main provisions of the national CNF program became the basis for the formation of "Development of Controlled Nuclear Fusion and Innovative Plasma Technologies" Federal Project within the comprehensive program "Development of Engineering, Technologies and Scientific Research in the Use of Nuclear Energy in the Russian Federation until 2024".

Implementation of "Development of Controlled Nuclear Fusion and Innovative Plasma Technologies" (U3 Federal Project) within the comprehensive program "Development of Engineering, Technologies and Scientific Research in the Use of Nuclear Energy in the Russian Federation until 2024" according to Decree of the President of the Russian Federation
No. 270 dated April 16, 2020.

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U3 Federal Project "Development of Controlled Nuclear Fusion and Innovative Plasma Technologies" within the comprehensive program "Development of Engineering, Technologies and Scientific Research in the Use of Nuclear Energy in the Russian Federation until 2024"

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• Research has been conducted on a number of fusion technologies, hybrid reactor systems, laser fusion systems
• Engineering solutions have been optimized to increase the service life of ERE electrodes
• A world-class neutron source specimen has been created based on plasmoid collisions
• A specimen of a laser fusion driver module has been created
• T-15MD tokamak has been put to operating modes (first stage)
•  A preliminary flightweight design of electrodless plasma rocket engine has been developed
• Pilot samples of HTSC current conductor designs have been manufactured and tested
• A source of negative ions with world-level parameters has been manufactured
• The main parameters of the bottom-hybrid heating technology for T-15MD have been confirmed
• A set of legislative amendment proposals for new nuclear facilities has been prepared
  

Key results expected in 2024

• Energy system for the startup complex of the modified strong-field tokamak has been created
• Reconstruction of buildings 124 and 125 of SSC RF TRINITI JSC has been completed with creation and placement of a test bench for pulse-periodic ERE prototypes
• Pilot superconductor manufacturing area at
• VNIINM JSC was upgraded
• The first domestic divertor tokamak T-15MD was put into operation at Kurchatov Institute
• Conceptual design of components of the world's first hybrid reactor plant has been developed
• Prototypes of next generation plasma rocket engines has been developed
• Basic components of a unique multipetawatt laser complex have been created
• Design documentation has been developed in sufficient volume to create a tokamak facility with reactor technologies by 2030
• Development and testing of plasma neutron source of megaelectronvolt energy range has been completed
• Innovative technology for lithium protection of the first reactor wall and diverter has developed and tested
  
  

5 FEDERAL PROJECTS

1. NEW NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING
2. EXPERIMENTAL AND BENCH FRAMEWORK
3. FUSION AND PLASMA TECHNOLOGIES
4. NEW MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES
5. REFERENCE POWER UNITS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

AREAS:

• Basic nuclear fusion technologies
• Hybrid reactor technologies and systems
• Innovative plasma and laser technologies

KEY RESULTS:

• Energy system of the modified nuclear fusion complex SFT
• The first domestic diverter tokamak T-15MD
• Conceptual design of components of the world's first hybrid reactor plant
• Basic components of a unique multipetawatt laser complex
• Pilot site for the manufacture of superconductors with improved characteristics
• Prototypes of next generation plasma rocket engines
• Testing benches and complexes for plasma rocket engines and a powerful neutron source

KEY EFFECTS:

• Russia is one of the world leaders in basic and hybrid nuclear fusion technologies
• 13 facilities of the experimental and bench framework have been commissioned

KEY RESULTS:

• Reactor technology tokamak (RTT) (further development of SFT)
• T-15MD tokamak is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities of the world-class level or higher
• Pilot production of powerful microwave generators for various spectral ranges and applications
• Nuclear fusion, hybrid, plasma, laser and neutron technologies
• Gas-dynamic multi-mirror trap GDMT
• Flightweight design of next generation plasma rocket engine at least 200 kW
• Experimental and bench framework of nuclear fusion technologies of NIIEFA

KEY EFFECTS:

• Transfer (implementation) of nuclear fusion, hybrid, plasma, and neutron technologies to the country's industrial sectors
• Russia is a world leader in thermonuclear technology
• Maintaining parity in near-Earth space
• 22 facilities of the experimental and bench framework have been commissioned

• Incomplete planned public funding will lead to increasing threats and potential risks associated with the failure to implement breakthrough science and technology development at the given pace and solve the tasks set out in Decree of the President No. 204 dated May 07, 2018, national goals in accordance with Decree of the President No. 474 dated July 21, 2020, and risks of loss of the technological leadership of the Russian Federation in the field of fusion research and plasma technologies.
• If even part of the Federal Project activities are abandoned, there are substantial risks of losing domestic competencies in the field of nuclear fusion science and technology, where Russia's position has always been advanced and ahead of the world level.

Conclusion

• The full implementation of U3 Federal Project will make it possible by 2030 to take a significant step toward solving the problem of mastering and using nuclear fusion energy, the most ambitious task set by mankind in the twentieth century.
• Apart from the direct use of fusion energy, the development of supporting technologies has been and continues to be a worldwide driver of science and technology development in hi-tech industries. Preservation and steady increase of science and technology potential in the field of nuclear fusion research is absolutely critical for strategic provision of the country's national security and involvement in the global science and technology progress in the field of energy, nuclear technology and special equipment.
• Plasma technologies developed during fusion research will bring energy to promotion of basic science and numerous new applications in various fields of science and technology, including nuclear power and space research.
• Thus, the project implementation can greatly boost the development of various sectors of the economy, the restoration of highly qualified personnel for the production, technology and research sectors of the economy and should be considered as a priority area of research and development in Russia.