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(FTP/40) Evaluation of CO₂ Emissions in the Life Cycle of Tokamak Fusion Power Reactors

K. Tokimatsu¹, H. Hondo², Y. Ogawa, K. Okano³, K. Yamaji and M. Katsurai

The University of Tokyo, School of Engineering, 2-11-16, Yayoi, Bunyo-ku, Tokoy, Japan 113
¹ Present Affiliation: RITE (Research Institute of Innovative Technologies for the Eartch), Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0003, Japan
² CRIEPI (Centeral Research Institute of Electric Power Industry), Socio-economic Research Center, 1-6-1, Ohtemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan 100
³ CRIEPI (Centeral Research Institute of Electric Power Industry), Komae Research Laboratory, 2-11-1, Iwadokita, Komae-city, Tokyo, Japan 201

Abstract.  Global warming problem is one of the most serious problems which human beings are currently face. Carbon Dioxide ( CO₂) from power plants is considered one of the major causes of the global warming. In this study, CO₂ emission from Tokamak fusion power plants are compared with those from conventional present power generation technologies. Plasma parameters are calculated by a systems code couples the ITER physics, TF coil shape, and cost calculation. CO₂ emission from construction and operation is evaluated from summing up component volume times CO₂ emission intensities of the composing materials. The uncountable components on such as reactor builing, balance of plants, etc. are scaled from the ITER referenced power reactor (ITER-like) by use of the Generomak model. Two important findings are revealed. Most important finding is that CO₂ emissions from fusion reactors are less than from PV, and less then double of that from fission reactor. The other finding are that

1. most CO₂ emissions from the fusion reactors are from materials,
2. CO₂ emissions from the reactor construction becomes almost 60 % to 70 %, rest from reactor operation, and
3. the RS reactor can reduce CO₂ emission half compared with the ITER-like reactor.

In conclusion, tokamak fusion reactors are excellent because of their small CO₂ emission intensity, and they can be one of effective energy supply technologies to solve global warming.

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