FUSION Quarterly News & Views on the Progress in Fusion Research
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FUSION Quarterly news & views on the progress in fusion research JET TAKES OFF! EUROPE’S LARGEST FUSION EXPERIMENT RESTARTED Last moduLe of WendeLstein 7-X mounted Keeping the pLasma in pLace With microWaves outstanding scientists honoured 3 | 2011 EUROPEAN FUSION DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FUSION IN EUROPE | Contents | Contents FUSION IN EUROPE № 3 | 2011 Moving Forward EFDA 3 A year of important achievement 4 Modelling the missing links 10 5 EFDA ITER Physics Work Programme 2012/2013 Associates Fusion software used for wind turbines 6 Last Module of Wendelstein 7-X mounted 8 Keeping the plasma in place with Microwaves 9 Fast action thanks to expertise 10 Fusion software used for wind turbines JETInsight 11 The Joint European Torus 12 JET takes off! 13 The pillar of JET retires 15 The father of JET and ITER commemorated 13 17 JET guestbook The pillar of JET retires Community People 18 Outstanding scientists honoured 19 New Heads of Research Unit appointed In dialogue 20 Camp of brilliant brains 21 Get your hands on, run experiments, try things out 21 Home-made neutrons Miscellaneous 20 22 Newsflash Camp of brilliant brains Title pictures: EFDA, IdeenExpo GmbH EFDA Close Support Unit – Garching © Francesco Romanelli (EFDA Leader) 2011. Imprint Boltzmannstr. 2 This newsletter or parts of it may not be reproduced without permission. Text, pictures and layout, ex- 85748 Garching / Munich cept where noted, courtesy of the EFDA Parties. FUSION IN EUROPE Germany The EFDA Parties are the European Commission phone: +49-89-3299-4263 and the Associates of the European Fusion Pro - ISSN 1818-5355 fax: +49-89-3299-4197 gramme which is co-ordinated and managed by the Commission. Neither the Commission, the e-mail: [email protected] Associates nor anyone acting on their behalf is re- For more information see the website: editors: Petra Nieckchen, Christine Rüth sponsible for any damage resulting from the use www.efda.org Subscribe at [email protected] of information contained in this publication. 2 | Moving Forward | EFDA | a year of IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENTS in october, the efDa steering committee confirmed francesco romanelli as efDa leader until the end of 2013. he looks back at a year full of challenges and yet important milestones reached. The ITER Physics area is in a period of substantial re- newal. A review of the Integrated Tokamak Modelling activities under EFDA recommended to further strength - en it by including more physics development work and model validation on experimental devices, building on Dear reader the ITM Task Force experience. The 2012/13 activities in the various topical areas will be implemented through the year 2011 has seen a number of important achieve- specific projects that have been defined through the col- ments in the EFDA programme. The JET Enhancement lective effort of the Topical Group Chairs and Task Force Programme 2 shutdown and restart were successfully Leaders. completed. Now the exploitation of the ITER-Like-Wall has begun. The Power Plant Physics and Technology In its review of the strategic orientation of the fusion (PPP&T) Department was set up and the most urgent programme the Independent Panel expressed its strong activities were launched. A new, more goal oriented support to the development of fusion as an energy way of implementation of the coordinated activities in source. It also recommended a profound restructuring the ITER Physics Department is being put in place. I of the fusion related work in Europe to ensure the suc- would like to take this occasion to thank all those who cess of ITER and progress towards the goal of electricity have devoted their effort to the success of these activi- production in the 2050 time frame. ties. I believe that the organisation of the fusion programme At the end of 2010 an Independent Panel was set up in Horizon 2020 should ensure a long term perspec- by the European Commission to assess the potential tive of activities, adequate resources on the program- JET contributions to ITER and the Strategic Orientation matic priorities with light implementation procedures of the Fusion Programme. The Panel recognises JET as and the preservation of the identity of each Associate vital for the success of ITER and strongly recommends around its points of excellence. the full exploitation of the ITER-Like-Wall and its op- eration with tritium. The perspective of extended col- EFDA has already started to move in this di rec - laborations with the other international partners, rec- tion. With the support of the Associates we should use ommended by the Panel, will be an important point in the period 2012/13 as an opportunity to make the nec- agenda for 2012. essary adaptations to the challenges of the ITER era while preserving those aspects that ensured the strength The PPP&T Department was set up in record time and of the programme. it starts to implement the 2012 Work Programme. The goal is to define the R&D priorities for the next Eu - I take this opportunity to give you my best wishes of a ropean research framework programme, Horizon 2020, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. by the end of 2013. The response of the EFDA Associates has been enthusiastic and I hope that the new Im - plementing Agreement will start soon. The Independent Panel review has made a number of recommendations in this area, some of which are already built in the medium term plan of EFDA. FRANCESCO ROMANELLI 3 FUSION in europe | Moving Forward | EFDA | Modelling the missing links the application of the first integrated simulation tools to fusion machines marks a milestone for the efDa integrated tokamak Modelling task force. at its annual meeting in garching, the task force introduced the prototype tools to a wider community of modellers. ur tools are like LEGO® bricks. They plug Force Leader Gloria Falchetto, “While participants adapt into each other and allow a modeller to build their modules to the ITM infrastructure and integrate “Oa physics simulation according to his or her them into the ETS, they share experiences and many is- needs”. Denis Kalupin, EFDA Responsible Officer for the sues are solved much more quickly this way.“ The ETS Integrated Tokamak Modelling (ITM) Task Force, sums has been released internally to ITM members for verifi- up what his work is all about. ITM cation and optimisa- develops a set of generic modelling “The ITM Task Force has progressed substantially tion. A first public ver- tools, which simulate the behaviour in the last seven years. In some areas it has pro- sion will be out next of plasmas in any fusion machine year. A subroutine of duced tools that are used today by the EFDA or for any specific problem. “Some the ETS, the equilib- modules run very fast for quick and Associates. Now it is time to take stock of this ex- rium reconstruction rough simulations and others zoom perience in order to strengthen the competitiveness and stability simulation into details in space or time. For of European modellers towards ITER through a chain is already avail- each problem, scientists would nor- more efficient organisation of these activities.” able for general use. mally have to adapt different nu- The chain allows the merical codes and couple them to- EFDA-LEADER FRANCESCO ROMANELLI setup of a magnetic field gether by designing an individual configuration and the interface. Within the ITM environment this switch be- determination of the plasma stability. It has produced tween fast, simple solutions and slower, more sophisti- first physics results for ASDEX Upgrade and ITER dis- cated ones is extremely easy.” charges. The equilibrium reconstruction module is al- ready in use at Tore Supra and JET. First physics results. Plasma modellers from all over Europe contribute to the development and valida- Automated protection for ITER. The meeting tion of the ITM plasma simulator. Its major component also addressed the coupling of modules describing the is the European Transport Solver (ETS), which will allow edge and core of the plasma, synergetic effects between scientists to simulate transport processes in a tokamak the various heating sources and issues regarding the plasma within a unique modular package. The Task plasma control. Lively discussion surrounded the stan- Force organises regular “code camps”, where developers dardisation of interfaces in order to include diagnostic meet for two weeks of concentrated work. “Each code signals for the plasma control systems into the plasma camp brings us a big step further” explains ITM Task simulator. This will develop the ETS towards one of the ultimate needs of ITER, which is a transport simulator linked to the plant control system. Wayne Houl - berg, Head of the ITER Integrated Modelling Expert Group, explains: “We are pushing ITER to the limits, where we get maximum perform- ance and still operate safely. The sim- ulation will have to tell us automati- cally whether the control systems can maintain the parameters needed for the planned plasma pulse.” contact: Gloria Falchetto, [email protected] 4 | Moving Forward | EFDA | EFDA ITER Physics Work Programme 2012/2013 he ITER Physics second general planning meeting cross-topic issues covered by the involved EFDA was held in Garching on October 27 and 28 to Topical Groups and Task Forces. EFDA will primarily Trevisit the details of the EFDA Physics Pro - support projects which significantly benefit from co- gramme until 2013. More than 60 participants – EFDA ordination through EFDA and projects that can only Re spon sible Officers, the Leaderships of the involved be carried out efficiently through the combined efforts EFDA Task Forces and Topical Groups as well as mem- of several Associates. bers of the Associates – discussed the deliverables ex- The programme also includes the development, in- pected from the Associates.