Assessing Component Suitability and Optimizing Fusion Plant Design—Alternative Approaches to TRLs

The application of technology readiness levels alone to the design of fusion power plants and demonstrators is examined and shown to be inadequate for differentiation between competing component and system designs. An additional and complementary method for assessing different design options and minimizing risk to stakeholders is examined. A brief example of the methodology applied to the selection options for heating and current drive systems is presented.