Economic Comparison of Fusion Power Plant Designs

Abstract

Over the past 10 yr, a number of studies have been developed for fusion power plants of various types (tokamaks, mirrors, etc.) complete with figures of merit such as cost estimates and estimates of the cost of generating electricity (COE). Each of these designs involves unresolved physics and engineering problems which, it is assumed, will eventually be worked out. Because of such uncertainties the figures of merit associated with such designs are not to be compared as absolute measures of worth but as relative indicators of progress within a given concept type. As part of Grumman's involvement in fusion energy development, an effort has been undertaken to compare economic indicators from the referenced studies in order to determine the cost trend in recent reactor design activities. Comparisons of the economic figures of merit for the several fusion reactor designs in the reference documents involved converting all cost estimates to the same dollar type and deciding on a common figure for construction time, ratio of direct to indirect costs, interest during construction, fixed rate of annual payment, etc. Various combinations of these factors were explored, and differences between selected values and referenced values are discussed. Also comparisons were made of themore » direct cost elements among the various designs to show there is essential agreement on balance-of-plant cost. 10 refs., 2 figs.« less