How fusion power can contribute to a fully decarbonized European power mix after 2050

Abstract

In the second half of this century, the European energy mix will be very likely completely decarbonized. Two main options are available to generate carbon free electricity: either to rely on renewable energy sources only, or to integrate renewables with a new generation of nuclear power plant, e.g. fusion power plant. In the former case a large storage capacity and/or dispatchable generation are required to compensate for the variable electricity generation. The size of the necessary storage systems and dispatchable power plants can be reduced if a base-load carbon free power technology is available, such as fusion. These options are analysed in this paper with the CO.ME.S.E. (COsto MEdio del Sistema Elettrico – Electric System Average Cost) code that assesses the hourly balance between load and generation, through a simplified dispatch model and the system costs, through a stochastic economic analysis. Two sets of power generation scenarios are considered in typical North and South-Europe cases. The study gives key indications to make fusion a cost-effective ingredient of a future European decarbonized power mix.