Objectives and activities of the next Fusion Programme

1. On March 2010, the Commission presented a Communication on Europe2020, a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Flagship initiative to deliver on smart growth: the "Innovation Union" aims at: re-focusing R&D and innovation policy on the challenges facing our society such as e.g. climate change, energy security and resource efficiency; strengthening the innovation chain. On 10 November 2010, the Commission also presented a new Communication on Energy 2020, a strategy for competitive, sustainable and secure energy: One of the priorities: extend Europe's leadership in energy technologies and innovation to ensure long-term EU technological competitiveness. actions identified to implement this priority:maintain EU leadership in ITER and ensure industrial value creation from ITER and the fusion programme. The current overall EU policy framework: Europe 2020 strategy, Innovation Union and Energy 2020 Strategy

2. In February 2011, the Commission launched a consultation to maximise the contribution of EU research and innovationfunding to the Innovation Union and Europe 2020 Strategy. The proposed "Common Strategic Framework“ would cover: the current Framework Programme for Research (FP7), the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). This will create a coherent set of instruments, along the whole "innovation chain" starting from basic research, culminating in bringing innovative products and services to market. It is within this new framework that the next fusion programme will be implemented. The Commission is elaborating a strategic orientation of the fusion programme: to be used for its future proposal within the next Common Strategic Framework; in full consistency with EU policies: Europe 2020, Innovation Union and Energy 2020. The forthcoming EU Common Strategic Framework and the strategic orientation of the EU fusion programme

3. The EU fusion programme should: deliver on the EU policies for energy in the long term and for innovation; keep on its international commitments under the ITER and BA agreements; be streamlined towards the final objective of realising fusion energy by 2050. Activities should be prioritised to reach the objectives according to a strategic roadmap and will follow a scenariodepending on resources availability. In the next Common Strategic Framework, the activities for the fusion programme should focus on: construction of ITER within scope, schedule and cost; R&D to secure the success of ITER operation; R&D to lay the foundations for fusion power plants; promoting innovation and EU industry competitiveness; Preparation of the ITER generation of operators, scientists and engineers; targeting international collaboration for the benefit of the EU programme. Objectives and activities of the next Fusion Programme

4. Reaching the ultimate objective as quickly as possible would mean an increased level of activities and resources during next Common Strategic Framework. This first scenario assumes an ambitious programme to have fusion energy from DEMO by 2040 and prototype power plants by 2050. It requires: completion of ITER construction and achievement of first plasma by 2020, followed by start of D-T operation by 2027. DEMO design as soon as scientific, materials and engineering data are available, before 2030. In addition, early implementation of two other projects with long lead-times: Test Blanket Modules (TBM programme established by the ITER Council in 2009); preparation for a specific neutron source so that construction could start by 2020. Pros: demonstrating fusion potential to produce electricity by 2040 and power plants by 2050, maintaining EU leadership and positioning EU industry for fusion market Cons: high cost scenario during the period until 2020 Scenarios for the Fusion Programme (1/2)

5. A second scenario assumes fusion is not urgently needed. partially omits/postpones some activities, has a lower level of activity during the next CSF period and implies acceptance of a longer timescale. Pros: maintains the overall goal, at an avg. cost (in addition to ITER) comparable to avg. FP7; Cons: higher risk, slower pace and higher total cost due to delays. A third scenario (EU contribution to ITER construction and limited other fusion activities) implies: a severe curtailment/postponement of R&D activities with the consequent risks and likelihood of delays in ITER construction and a slow start of its operation. EU not getting full benefits of ITER, exploitation mainly benefitting international competitors. EU’s progress towards DEMO and fusion energy would be substantially delayed. Scenarios for the Fusion Programme (2/2)

6. Actions needed to prepare the Commission proposal: elaboration of a strategic orientation for the EU fusion programme including objectives, activities, possible scenarios and roadmap; outlining potential impact on innovation and industry competitiveness. Input from the fusion community (CCE-FU workshop and follow-up): to identify detailed activities, milestones and costs, developing roadmap options for the period until 2020, and giving indications beyond; the activities should be prioritised for three levels of funding. Preparation of input from european industry for activities to foster innovation and industry competitiveness. A fully fledged set of resource-loaded activities and roadmaps corresponding to three scenarios will be elaborated when inputs are available. The Commission will use this material to elaborate a fusion strategic roadmap for its proposal of a fusion programme under the CSF by November 2011. Next steps for the elaboration of the fusion programme