Influence of system optimization considerations on LIA drivers

The value of a systems and cost model lies in its capability to quickly evaluate plant cost and performance for various system/subsystem options an thus to assess the effect of potential design innovations and tradeoffs on the overall cost of electricity (COE). We have developed a Linear-Induction Accelerator driven Heavy-ion Fusion (LIA-HIF) Inertial Confinement Systems and Costing Model (ICCOMO) as part of the Heavy-ion Fusion Systems Assessment Project (HIFSA). This code has been used to evaluate various combinations of driver, cavity, and target design alternatives in conjunction with one another to determine the cost-sensitivity of different system options and to identify the most promising designs. The most significant results of these studies, to data, is the overall broadeness of the optimum region of parameter space. Changes in the performance of one system can generally be compensated for by another system, resulting in a minimal change in the final COE. This paper discusses the tradeoffs leading to this conclusion and their implications relative to LIA design