Description
The 2025 EUROfusion Low Aspect Ratio (LAR) Gate Review established a validated reference configuration for a European demonstration reactor [1] through an integrated physics-engineering design process. As the European fusion roadmap evolves towards a Pilot Plant and, ultimately, a Fusion Power Plant (FPP) [2], future stakeholder requirements and design assumptions are expected to evolve beyond those adopted for DEMO. The present work therefore uses the DEMO LAR configuration as a validated benchmark to quantify the system-level benefit of emerging technologies, rather than as a proposed FPP design.
Updated neutronic, thermohydraulic and structural models [3] were implemented within the PROCESS systems code to investigate advanced cryogenic structural materials for superconducting magnets, alternative neutron shielding materials, and concept-specific optimisation enabled by different breeding blanket solutions. Optimisation around a selected breeding blanket concept illustrates the additional flexibility that could be enabled by blanket qualification in a dedicated Pilot Plant (e.g. VNS [4]). Under the current stakeholder requirements [5], the combined assessment enables reactor configurations of major radius R0≤8m. Beyond the specific design solutions obtained, the proposed workflow provides a reusable methodology that can be directly applied as stakeholder requirements evolve, enabling emerging technologies quantitative assessment, supporting FPP design and R&D prioritisation.