Research and development steps for commercial use of fusion power plants

Optimized steps for developing commercial fusion reactors are discussed. Research and development steps of fusion reactors following an experimental reactor phase were proposed as follows: Power Generation Demonstration Phase: Demonstration of the technologies for the commercial power plants with all systems working as integrated unit. Economics and Safety Demonstration Phase: Demonstration that the fusion power plant would have a competitive life-cycle energy cost and that fusion power is safe. It is also concluded that the fusion commercial plants which follow these phases would be required to have some attractive points for commercial use. (author)