Fusion Energy: Definitive Cost Estimates for U.S. Contributions to an International Experimental Reactor and Better Coordinated DOE Research Are Needed

The Dept. of Energy (DoE) has long suffered from contract and mgmt. oversight weaknesses. Since 1990 DOE contact mgmt. has been on a list of programs at high risk for fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement. In 2003 DoE¿s Office of Science (Science) unveiled its 20-year plan to acquire and upgrade potentially costly research facilities. In light of DoE¿s history and the potential cost of this ambitious plan, the author was asked to examine Science¿s project mgmt. performance. This report determined: (1) the extent to which Science has managed its projects within cost and schedule targets; (2) the factors affecting project mgmt. performance; and (3) challenges that may affect Science¿s future performance. Aloise reviewed 42 selected Science projects. Includes recommendations. Illustrations.

Fusion energy offers the prospect of addressing the nation's energy needs and contributing to the transition to a low-carbon emission electrical generation infrastructure. Technology and research results from U.S. investments in the major fusion burning plasma experiment known as ITER, coupled with a strong foundation of research funded by the Department of Energy (DOE), position the United States to begin planning for its first fusion pilot plant. Strong interest from the private sector is an additional motivating factor, as the process of decarbonizing and modernizing the nation's electric infrastructure accelerates and companies seek to lead the way. At the request of DOE, Bringing Fusion to the U.S. Grid builds upon the work of the 2019 report Final Report of the Committee on a Strategic Plan for U.S. Burning Plasma Research to identify the key goals and innovations - independent of confinement concept - that are needed to support the development of a U.S. fusion pilot plant that can serve as a model for producing electricity at the lowest possible capital cost.