General
Fusion Energy Technology aims to teach the basic principles and underlying physics of producing energy from fusion of hydrogen. The course consists of three principal components: the first section gives an overview of the physical conditions for fusion and presents the main fusion reactor concepts. The second part deals with the technical characteristics of a fusion reactor, in particular, with material issues, vacuum technology, heat transfer and fuel technology. The third section covers the potential of fusion power plant features, security, and the future of fusion generated electricity.
The course includes lectures, exercises, and an exam. Upon completion, graduates will have a basic understanding of what fusion is, an overview of major fusion research topics and challenges in constructing a fusion power, and how the fusion-fired power plant will potentially work.
The grade for the course will be determined on the scale 0-5 based on three factors:
- 75% for attending the exercise classes and getting the exercises done
- 25% for the (final) exams
The final exam can be either oral or written exam depending on the number of students attending the course
Generally, the course schedule will be according to the "Upcoming events" on the right.
Week 1: No lectures or exercises
Week 2: Energy needs. Lecture (Prof Mathias Groth) on Monday Jan 11th 14-16. Exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) on Wednesday Jan 13th 10-12
Week 3: Fusion principles. Lecture (Dr Timo Kiviniemi) on Monday Jan 18th 14-16, Exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) on Wednesday Jan 20th 10-12
Week 4: Fusion concepts. Lecture (Dr Timo Kiviniemi) on Monday Jan 25th 14-16, Exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) on Wednesday Jan 27nd 10-12
Week 5: Tokamaks 1. Lecture (Dr Timo Kiviniemi) on Monday Feb 1st 14-16, Exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) on Wednesday Feb 3rd 10-12
Week 6: Tokamaks 2. Lecture (Dr Timo Kiviniemi) on Monday Feb 8th 14-16, Exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) on Wednesday Feb 10th 10-12
Week 7: Stellarators. Lecture (Dr Timo Kiviniemi) on Monday Feb 15th 14-16, Exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) on Wednesday Feb 17th 10-12
Week 8: Exam week - no lectures or exercises
Week 9: Inertial confinement fusion. Lecture (Dr Timo Kiviniemi) on Monday March 1st 14-16, Exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) on Wednesday March 3rd 10-12
Week 10: ITER. Lecture (Prof Mathias Groth) on Monday March 8th 14-16, Exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) on Wednesday March 10th 10-12
Week 11: Plasma heating. Lecture (Dr Timo Kiviniemi) on Monday March 15th 14-16, Exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) on Wednesday March 17th 10-12
Week 12: Plasma diagnostics. Lecture (Prof Mathias Groth) on Monday March 22nd 14-16, Exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) on Wednesday March 24th 10-12
Week 13: Scrape-off layer and plasma-wall interaction. Lecture (Prof Mathias Groth) on Monday March 29th 14-16, Exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) on Wednesday March 31th 10-12
Week 14: Tritium cycle. Lecture (Prof Mathias Groth) on Monday April 5th 14-16, Exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) on Wednesday April 7th 10-12
Week 15: Exam week - no lectures or exercises