FPN08-46

Academies Report Endorses Importance of ITER

July 29, 2008

The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005 required the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to prepare a plan for the participation of the U.S. fusion community in the international ITER program and a subsequent review of that plan by the U.S. National Academies. The plan was submitted by the DOE to the Academies for review on August 10, 2006.

The Academies did not begin review of the plan until October 1, 2007. A review committee was appointed under the jurisdiction of the Academies Plasma Science Committee. The review committee was chaired by Patrick Colestock (Los Alamos National Laboratory), a member of the Plasma Science Committee. The Academies issued a "prepublication copy" of the final report on July 29, 2008.

The report gives high praise to the ITER venture, saying "ITER presents the United States and its international partners with the opportunity to explore new and exciting frontiers of plasma science while bringing the promise of fusion energy closer to reality." However, it notes, "The success of ITER will depend on each partner's ability to fully engage itself in the scientific and technological challenges posed by advancing our understanding of fusion." The report states, "The committee underscores as its greatest concern the uncertain U.S. commitment to ITER at the present time." In this regard, the committee was referring to the failure of Congress to provide the full ITER funding requested in the FY 2008 budget request from the President.

The report says the the 2006 plan provide to it by DOE "is operating and has proven effective in beginning to coordinate U.S. research activities and the development of the ITER program," but recommends that the plan should evolve to include other topics such as addressing "existing gaps in planning for a Demonstration Power Plant." The report calls for the creation of "a long-term strategic plan for the U.S. burning plasma fusion program within the context of global fusion energy development activities."

The report calls for maintaining a strong and balanced domestic U.S. fusion program, stating "the committee emphasizes that a vigorous and strategically balanced domestic program is required to ensure that U.S. participation in ITER is successful and valuable for the U.S. fusion program." It recommends, "DOE should maintain a vibrant domestic fusion program through strong support for basic research and facilities."

The report is posted at http://fire.pppl.gov

For further information on the report contact news@nas.edu