The potential net energy gain from DT fusion power plants

Abstract

The determination of the potential net energy gain from deuterium—tritium-fueled fusion power plants on the basis of tokamak reactors of present-day design is treated in four main sections. In the first the principle of net energy balancing is discussed in detail and the total net energy gain is deduced as a magnitude characterizing the exploitation of an energy source. Then the net energy balance for fusion power plants is determined by means of a method combining the advantages of the energetic input-output method with those of process chain analysis. Thirdly, these results are compared with LWR, HTR, FBR, and coal-fired power plants. Finally, a comparison of the results with those of other authors is made. As a result, the potential total net energy gain from fusion power plants considerably exceeds that from LWR, HTR, and coal-fired power plants and is in the same range as that of FBR power plants.