Impact of Techn. Learning - Impact of Technological Learning on the Role of Fusion Power in the Electricity Market

In the European framework of Socio Economic Research on Fusion (SERF, macro task “Long term scenarios and the role of fusion power”) it was attempted for the first time to determine the role that fusion power might play in future energy markets, for different sets of assumptions that reflect a variety of possible R&D, energy and environmental policies. In energy system studies so far, the integration of technological learning for fusion power has been modelled as exogenous influence and under simplified assumptions. The endogenisation of technological learning in energy system models was therefore considered by EFDA/SERF as a must for improvement, as it is necessary for a proper comparison between fusion and its long term competitors. This project assessed the effects of the technological learning mechanisms on the possible development of costs of future fusion power plants, based on the most recent power reactor concepts. Starting from the respective improvements of the key components, the dynamics of the overall performance of the system have been evaluated. The results obtained will then serve as an input for energy system models where fusion power is considered as an option for the production of electric power and where technological learning is endogenous.