[en] A review paper on the physical foundation, different paths to, technical problems, and recent advances towards electricity generation from nuclear fusion. The advice to the domestic electricity authorities is to watch carefully the international development in order not to be caught napping by unexpected results or developments

[en] Nuclear Fusion research is aimed to create the physical and technological basis for the exploitation of fusion energy for electricity production. A fusion power station is characterized by tremendous energy yield as compared to fossil energy sources, attractive safety features and low environmental impact. Furthermore fuel stock is almost unlimited and equally available on our planet. The physical basis of nuclear fusion as well as the model of a future fusion power station are explained and an outlook in terms of a fusion roadmap is presented. (orig.)

[en] Short communication

No abstract available

[en] Although the ultimate goal of most current fusion research is to build an economically attractive power plant, the present status of physics and technology does not provide the performance necessary to achieve this goal. Therefore, in order to model how such plants may operate and what their output might be, extrapolations must be made from existing experimental data and technology. However, the expected performance of a plant built to the operating point specifications can only ever be a ‘best guess’. Extrapolations far beyond the current operating regimes are necessarily uncertain, and some important interactions, for example the coupling of conducted power from the scape-off layer to the divertor surface, lack reliable predictive models. This means both that the demands on plant systems at the target operating point can vary significantly from the nominal value, and that the overall plant performance may potentially fall short of design targets.

In this contribution we discuss tools and techniques that have been developed to assess the robustness of the operating points for the EU-DEMO tokamak-based demonstration power plant, and the consequences for its design. The aim is to make explicit the design choices and areas where improved modelling and DEMO-relevant experiments will have the greatest impact on confidence in a successful DEMO design. (paper)

[en] On the basis of some recent studies an overview is given of the actual knowledge with regard to environmental aspects of nuclear fusion. In addition also an extrapolation into the near future has been made. 18 refs.; 5 figs.; 1 table

[en] Fast maintenance capabilities of an IVHU system are of great importance in fusion plant operation. One key element is a set of work units. Some are specialized to certain handling tasks and some are of the kind of telemanipulators suited for more general purpose application. Different operation modes based on a microcomputer control system are described. Emphasis is put on the implementation of a control system by KfK-IDT using an EMSM-2 type servo master slave manipulator. Several classes of operation modes are distinguished ranging from complete manual to complete automatic modes. (author). 6 refs, 11 figs

No abstract available

[en] The importance of remote maintenance in nuclear plants is increasing. Remote replacement of components to be maintained is preferred to in-place repair. Overhead bridge cranes in combination with an impact wrench are used as remote tools for the operation of specially developed remote connectors. Other concepts prefer the use of manipulators and commercially available connectors. The replaced components can be maintained or dismantled by electrical master slave manipulators and adapted tools. Remote maintenance of the maintenance equipment itself has to be provided and sometimes redundant systems are required for the case of failures or accidents. (author). 6 refs

[en] The concept of inherent or passive safety for fusion energy is explored, defined, and partially quantified. Four levels of safety assurance are defined, which range from true inherent safety to passive safety to protection via active engineered safeguard systems. Fusion has the clear potential for achieving inherent or passive safety, which should be an objective of fusion research and design. Proper material choice might lead to both inherent/passive safety and high mass power density, improving both safety and economics. When inherent or passive safety is accomplished, fusion will be well on the way to achieving its ultimate potential and to be a truly superior energy source for the future. (author). 9 refs, 2 figs