A Collaborative National Center for Fusion & Plasma Research

Power systems

The systems, such as fusion power plants, that would generate electricity from fusion.

PPPL honors Grierson and Greenough for distinguished research and engineering achievements

A breakthrough in the development of fusion diagnostics and the creative use of radio frequency waves to heat the plasma that fuels fusion reactions earned the 2017 outstanding research and engineering awards from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). Physicist Brian Grierson and engineer Nevell Greenough received the honors from PPPL Interim Director Richard Hawryluk at a ceremony November 7 for their exceptional achievements.

PPPL completes shipment of electrical components to power site for ITER, the international fusion experiment

The arrival of six truckloads of electrical supplies at a warehouse for the international ITER fusion experiment on Oct. 2 brings to a successful conclusion a massive project that will provide 120 megawatts of power – enough to light up a small city − to the 445-acre ITER site in France.

COLLOQUIUM: Princeton University's District Energy Approach and Implications for Improving Energy Efficiency

We will discuss how heating, cooling, and electrical energy is currently produced and delivered to Princeton’s community of approximately 12,000 people and 180 buildings. What is the university’s carbon footprint, and what progress is being made to lower that? How are the university’s energy assets dispatched in real-time for best economic advantage while maintaining reliability and resilience? What changes is the university considering for improvement of its resource, cost, and emissions profiles?

PPPL engineers design and build state-of-the-art controller for AC to DC converter that manages plasma in upgraded fusion machine

The electric current that powers fusion experiments requires superb control. Without it, the magnetic coils the current drives cannot contain and shape the plasma that fuels experiments in doughnut-shaped tokamaks correctly.

Developing the digital safeguard that protects the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade at PPPL

As the most powerful spherical tokamak in the world, the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) produces magnetic forces that are far greater than what its predecessor could generate. Moreover, the power supply system that drives current in the fusion facility’s electromagnetic coils can potentially produce even higher forces unless properly constrained.

Nat Fisch Wins Europe's Alfvén Prize

The European Physical Society (EPS) has named physicist Nat Fisch winner of the 2015 Hannes Alfvén Prize. Fisch, director of the Princeton Program in Plasma Physics and professor and associate chair of astrophysical sciences at Princeton University, will receive the honor in June at the at the annual meeting of the EPS Division of Plasma Physics in Lisbon, Portugal.

COLLOQUIUM: Future Electrical Technologies From a GE Viewpoint

I will give a brief overview of the technologies being pursued within GE, the largest conglomerate. I will then focus more on the electrical technologies for a more detailed description. These will include new devices such as SiC MOSFETs, electrical systems, controls, electrical machines, superconducting equipment, medical equipment, lighting, power conversion, materials, and energy storage. Work with PPPL on tubes will be discussed.

Panel ensures safe operation of the $94 million NSTX Upgrade

Inspecting what will soon become the world's most powerful spherical fusion facility

Monumental effort: How a dedicated team completed a massive beam-box relocation for the NSTX upgrade

Your task: Take apart, decontaminate, refurbish, relocate, reassemble, realign and reinstall a 75-ton neutral beam box that will add a second beam box to the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) and double the experiment’s heating power. Oh, and while you’re at it, hoist the two-story tall box over a 22-foot wall.

Industry, academic collaborators push for energy solutions

Investigating long-term solutions to the world's energy needs and investing in sustainable technologies are crucial as the climate crisis comes into focus, a set of experts cautioned at Princeton University on Nov. 14.