STEP Plasma Modelling

Tender description

The UKAEA aims to establish a national programme that will explore the options, challenges and solutions for accelerating the delivery of fusion power through the development of a compact reactor, the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP). The programme will cover every aspect of designing a fusion reactor, including plasma performance and plasma control for steady-state operation. UKAEA invites expressions of interest from research organisations capable of carrying out plasma modelling for STEP. Specifically, modelling is required in the following areas: • First principles-based (gyrokinetic) simulations of turbulence and the associated plasma turbulence in the plasma core and pedestal. • Simulations of turbulence in the scrape-off layer (SOL). • Simulations of non-inductive plasma start-up and non-inductive current drive using waves in the electron cyclotron range of frequencies. The framework will have an initial duration of 1 year, extendable on an annual basis for a maximum of 5 years in aggregate