Presentation of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Research and Development Tokamak Project from an Organisational and Operational Perspective

Abstract

The ideal future energy mix for the planet and mankind would be based on a variety of generation methods instead of a large reliance on one source, especially the non-renewable ones. As a new source of carbon-free baseload electricity, producing no long-lived radioactive waste, fusion could make a positive contribution to the challenges of resource availability, reduced carbon emissions, and fission waste disposal and safety issues.

ITER (initially the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) is the most perspective project to achieve fusion energy. In this article, the origin of the ITER project, fundamental members and how the design of Tokamak provides the demand or suitable conditions for ITER to achieve its scientific or experimental goals will be discussed. In addition, the technological improvements in several different aspects and how it can function under different situations will be introduced. The principle of nuclear fusion and how the energy is created and conserved in the whole process will also be explained.