May 7, 1997

FPN97-14 Fusion Program Notes

Fusion Power Associates Annual Meeting and Symposium

Fusion Power Associates Annual Meeting and Symposium will take place August 27-29 in Snowmass Village, Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado. The theme of the meeting will be "Pathways to Fusion Power." The plan is to provide an atmosphere conducive to in-depth strategic discussion of the question, "How do we get from our present circumstance to some kind of practical product on some kind of schedule?"

The format and agenda for the meeting are still under development, but are expected to be structured around the following discussion topics:

1. What is our view of the nature (economics, regulatory, competing technologies) of the future marketplace in which fusion will compete?

2. Will fusion enter the commercial marketplace as an electric power producer, or as a supplier of some other needed product?

3. Can other fuel cylces compete with the D-T cycle?

4. Can the tokamak be developed into a competitive commercial system?

5. Can alternate magnetic concepts compete with the tokamak?

6. Is inertial fusion a credible technology for commercial applications? Which driver technolgies look attractive for commercial applications?

7. Do D-T fusion power plants really require low activation materials? -- A critical discussion of the issues associated with the disposal of radioactive waste.

Persons wishing to express their views formally at the symposium are asked to submit, by email, a short (50-300 word) abstract of their views by May 29. You may submit for one or more topics. A longer version summarizing your view will be due June 30 and a book of summaries will be provided to all registrants in advance of the symposium in order to facilitate efficient discussion. Following the symposium, the participants will have an opportunity to revise their summaries for subsequent publication in the Journal of Fusion Energy.

The detailed program, registration, and lodging information will be provided at a later date.

For more information, contact: Stephen O. Dean