First experiences with the new W7-X like control system at the WEGA stellarator

• Published in: Fusion engineering and design 2009-06, Vol.84 (7), p.1179-1183
• Main Authors: Lewerentz, Marc, Aßmus, Dieter, Bluhm, Torsten, Heinrich, Stefan, Hennig, Christine, Herbst, Uwe, Meyer, Christiane, Köster, Eric, Müller, Ina, Laqua, Heike, Otte, Matthias, Pingel, Steffen, Sachtleben, Jürgen, Schacht, Jörg, Spring, Anett, Wölk, Andreas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Commissioning; Control; Controled nuclear fusion plants; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Prototype; WEGA; Wendelstein 7-X
• ISSN: 0920-3796; 1873-7196
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2009.03.009

The new quality of the superconducting fusion device Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) is its capability of steady state operation. Additionally the fusion device W7-X is a very complex technical system. The modular and strongly hierarchical control system has been designed to cope with these two requirements unique for fusion devices. To minimize the risks before commissioning the control and data acquisition system at W7-X it will be thoroughly tested in a prototype installation at the WEGA stellarator. WEGA is a classical stellarator which allows steady state plasma pulses at a magnetic field of 0.5 T. Despite its lesser complexity WEGA has the same main components, e.g. magnetic coil systems, ECRH, and diagnostics as W7-X and is therefore considered to be a suitable test-bed for the control system. The installation of the new W7-X like control and data acquisition system has been finished in March this year. Individual components of the control system have already been commissioned during the installation phase. In April final commissioning and testing of the complete system took place. First discharges fully controlled by the prototype control system have been realized. The contribution will focus on first discharges controlled by the new system. Furthermore it presents first experiences that will incorporate into the further development of the control system and the tools for planning, preparation, and realization of plasma discharges.