Public Abstract

DE-FC02-04ER54698: DIII-D National Fusion Facility (Research and Operations) Program, and Additional General Atomics Support for the U.S. Department of Energy's Fusion Energy Sciences Program and the ITER Experiment

Award Status: Active

Institution: General Atomics, San Diego, CA
UEI: TVRYQ3N3B8H5
DUNS: 067638957

Most Recent Award Date: 03/26/2026
Number of Support Periods: 20
PM: Lanctot, Matthew

Current Budget Period: 08/01/2025 - 07/31/2026
Current Project Period: 08/01/2025 - 07/31/2028
PI: Buttery, Richard

Supplement Budget Period: N/A

Public Abstract

DIII-D National Fusion Facility Program PI: Dr. Richard Buttery Project Objectives: This research effort comprises a three-year renewal period (2025–2028) of the work being performed under the Cooperative Agreement entitled, “DIII-D National Fusion Program Research and Facility Operations and Advanced Fusion Technology Research and Development”. The major work elements support General Atomics’ (GA’s) management and operation of the DIII-D National Fusion Facility (DIII-D), and its participation in and support for the research program. Also included is GA’s research in the Fusion Energy Sciences Materials program (FES Materials) and assigned research activities under ITER Support. Detailed research targets are provided in the DIII-D National Fusion Facility Five-Year Research Plan 2024-2029 (DIII-D Five-Year Research Plan), which was developed by the DIII-D Team, consisting of over 800 scientific and technical staff from over 100 institutions worldwide. DIII-D is the largest magnetic fusion research facility in the U.S. Project Description: The mission of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Fusion Energy Sciences Program (FES), is to expand the fundamental understanding of matter at very high temperatures and densities and to develop the scientific foundations needed to develop a fusion energy source. In support of the FES mission, DIII-D’s mission is to establish the scientific basis for the optimization of the tokamak approach to fusion energy production. This research effort directly supports the FES strategic goal to advance the fundamental science of magnetically confined plasmas to develop the predictive capability needed for a sustainable fusion energy source. In addressing Fusion Pilot Plant (FPP) design gaps, the research program advances scientific understanding in core confinement, divertor heat flux management, and core-edge integration such that greater confidence (and reduced risk) is achieved, thereby reducing capital cost. Fusion technology and material advances include tooling the facility to support fusion industry testing in an active tokamak environment and demonstrating first-wall material suitability. As development of the ITER facility continues in parallel with the three-year renewal period for the DIII-D Cooperative Agreement, the DIII-D research program addresses urgent ITER needs in areas of scenario development and transient mitigation, while also preparing the U.S. fusion research community for the remote data processing required for ITER. These research challenges are well-aligned with the key research needs for magnetic fusion energy identified in the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee’s long-range strategic planning report, entitled, “Powering the Future \| Fusion & Plasmas \| A long-range plan to deliver fusion energy and to advance plasma science.” To carry out this research, the DIII-D tokamak will be operated in support of planned experiments, and several facility improvements will be completed. Select facility improvements include increased electron cyclotron power and divertors to advance exhaust science. With these and other upgrades, DIII-D will provide a relevant platform for fusion scientists and engineers to conduct world-leading research in support of FPP design and U.S. participation in ITER. Project’s Potential Impact: DIII-D research aims to close gaps limiting the design of an FPP, advance fusion technology and materials development, and ensure success of the ITER research program. In addition, GA’s FES Materials program will advance the scientific knowledge base for FPP.

DIII-D National Fusion Facility Program

PI: Dr. Richard Buttery

Project Objectives: This research effort comprises a three-year renewal period (2025–2028) of the work being performed under the Cooperative Agreement entitled, “DIII-D National Fusion Program Research and Facility Operations and Advanced Fusion Technology Research and Development”. The major work elements support General Atomics’ (GA’s) management and operation of the DIII-D National Fusion Facility (DIII-D), and its participation in and support for the research program. Also included is GA’s research in the Fusion Energy Sciences Materials program (FES Materials) and assigned research activities under ITER Support. Detailed research targets are provided in the DIII-D National Fusion Facility Five-Year Research Plan 2024-2029 (DIII-D Five-Year Research Plan), which was developed by the DIII-D Team, consisting of over 800 scientific and technical staff from over 100 institutions worldwide. DIII-D is the largest magnetic fusion research facility in the U.S.

Project Description: The mission of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Fusion Energy Sciences Program (FES), is to expand the fundamental understanding of matter at very high temperatures and densities and to develop the scientific foundations needed to develop a fusion energy source. In support of the FES mission, DIII-D’s mission is to establish the scientific basis for the optimization of the tokamak approach to fusion energy production. This research effort directly supports the FES strategic goal to advance the fundamental science of magnetically confined plasmas to develop the predictive capability needed for a sustainable fusion energy source. In addressing Fusion Pilot Plant (FPP) design gaps, the research program advances scientific understanding in core confinement, divertor heat flux management, and core-edge integration such that greater confidence (and reduced risk) is achieved, thereby reducing capital cost. Fusion technology and material advances include tooling the facility to support fusion industry testing in an active tokamak environment and demonstrating first-wall material suitability. As development of the ITER facility continues in parallel with the three-year renewal period for the DIII-D Cooperative Agreement, the DIII-D research program addresses urgent ITER needs in areas of scenario development and transient mitigation, while also preparing the U.S. fusion research community for the remote data processing required for ITER. These research challenges are well-aligned with the key research needs for magnetic fusion energy identified in the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee’s long-range strategic planning report, entitled, “Powering the Future | Fusion & Plasmas | A long-range plan to deliver fusion energy and to advance plasma science.” To carry out this research, the DIII-D tokamak will be operated in support of planned experiments, and several facility improvements will be completed. Select facility improvements include increased electron cyclotron power and divertors to advance exhaust science. With these and other upgrades, DIII-D will provide a relevant platform for fusion scientists and engineers to conduct world-leading research in support of FPP design and U.S. participation in ITER.

Project’s Potential Impact: DIII-D research aims to close gaps limiting the design of an FPP, advance fusion technology and materials development, and ensure success of the ITER research program. In addition, GA’s FES Materials program will advance the scientific knowledge base for FPP.