Modeling energy output of inertial storage devices for the DIII-D tokamak

The DIII-D fusion experiment utilizes two large motor-generator sets for supplying energy to the toroidal and poloidal field coils of the tokamak. One generator has an energy capability of 2250 MJ and the other of 794 MJ. The authors document the development of a computer program which models the energy requirements of a fusion tokamak and compare them to the limitations of a large motor-generator set. The program models the energy requirements of the magnetic confinement coils and also determines the current requirements (as a function of time) imposed upon the generator, which depend on the physics parameters under study for the plasma. The program is used on a daily basis, and by optimizing for minimum energy usage, significant annual cost savings are realized