Department of Energy FY94 Budget: Fusion Energy

The Department of Energy has requested $347.6 million for Fusion Energy in fiscal year 1994. The request is an increase of $7.9 million, or 2.3 percent, from the 1993 appropriation.

DOE’s budget “Highlights” state, in part, “The Department has established a goal-oriented program with milestones that will provide for a technology demonstration, as cited in the Energy Policy Act of 1992, by 2010, an operating demonstration plant by 2025, and an operating commercial power plant by about 2040. Achieving these goals will require that we gain an understanding of the complex processes involved in fusion and that we develop the technologies and industrial infrastructure needed for the practical application of fusion energy.

“The FY 1994 budget request of $347.6 million continues to support the fusion goal-oriented energy development program. This budget request allows us to address the scientific and technological issues which must be addressed to achieve the program’s goals. These issues are ignition physics, fusion nuclear technology, magnetic confinement configuration optimization, and low activation materials development.

“The Magnetic Fusion Energy budget provides for a concentrated effort on tokamaks and on an integrated international approach to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power. Four essential elements of the fusion plan are all supported by the FY 1994 budget. The first is conducting deuterium-tritium experiments at the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR), making TFTR the first program to perform extensive D-T experiments to provide important data on plasma self-heating. The second is U.S. participation in the engineering design phase of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The purpose of ITER will be to demonstrate many of the reactor technologies needed for fusion power. The third element involves supporting construction of an experimental facility to develop advanced tokamak modes that could lead to more efficient and, therefore, a more attractive demonstration reactor. The Tokamak Physics Experiment (TPX) will have the capability to operate for long pulses and to develop advanced tokamak operating modes. The TPX effort is a Departmental investment initiative. Conceptual design is being completed and initiation of Title I design will begin in FY 1994. The fourth element is a strong base physics and technology research program required to support ITER, TPX, and a demonstration reactor.

“In addition, funds are requested for Inertial Fusion Energy to continue research on heavy ion acclerators.

“These programs will continue to take full advantage of international collaboration while maintaining a sound domestic program. Increased involvement of industry will also be pursued.”