Exploitation of modularity in the JET tokamak Vertical Stabilization system

The Vertical Stabilization system of the JET tokamak has been recently upgraded. This new system enables a more sensitive control of the plasma geometry and can withstand larger perturbations, enabling scientists to push the plasma performance to its limits without risking a severe control loss, which might endanger the machine integrity. The project was successfully delivered in the course of 2010. This paper briefly introduces the new JET Vertical Stabilization design, discussing how its modular architecture enabled the system to provide different experimental features in several operational environments. Furthermore, some of the major achievements of the commissioning activity and of the regular operation during the last experimental campaign are presented.