Electrical Loads and Power Systems for the DEMO Nuclear Fusion Project
EU-DEMO is a European project, having the ambitious goal to be the first demonstrative
power plant based on nuclear fusion. The electrical power that is expected to be produced is in the
order of 700–800 MW, to be delivered via a connection to the European High Voltage electrical grid.
The initiation and control of fusion processes, besides the problems related to the nuclear physics,
need very complex electrical systems. Moreover, also the conversion of the output power is not
trivial, especially because of the inherent discontinuity in the EU-DEMO operations. The present
article concerns preliminary studies for the feasibility and realization of the nuclear fusion power
plant EU-DEMO, with a special focus on the power electrical systems. In particular, the first stage of
the study deals with the survey and analysis of the electrical loads, starting from the steady-state
loads. Their impact is so relevant that could jeopardy the efficiency and the convenience of the plant
itself. Afterwards, the loads are inserted into a preliminary internal distribution grid, sizing the main
electrical components to carry out the power flow analysis, which is based on simulation models
implemented in the DIgSILENT PowerFactory software.