The EU DEMO staged design approach in the Pre-Concept Design Phase

This paper provides an overview of the methodology adopted within the EUROfusion framework covering the Pre-Concept Design Phase (2014-2020). The phase activities focused on advancing the technical basis of the design of the European DEMOnstration Fusion Power Plant (DEMO). The emphasis in the latter stages was placed upon an integrated design approach, based on systems engineering, providing a clear direction for urgent technology R&D and addressing the key design integration issues by assessing the critical systems interdependencies and uncertainties of certain design assumptions. The programme has continued to benefit from the ITER return of experience, in terms of design, licensing, and construction and DEMO will maintain a strong link with the ITER schedule in the coming design phases. The growing need for a structured and transparent review process gave rise to the introduction of a phase-gate review process, the implementation of which led to the first formal DEMO-wide gate review held at the end of the Pre-Concept Design Phase. The Gate Panel's recommendations provided clarity on the key priorities for the programme moving forward and serve to underpin the planning for the next phase.