MARZIA CALDORA

Dottoressa di ricerca

ciclo: XXXVI


supervisore: Prof.ssa Maria Carmen Falvo
co-supervisore: Alessandro Lampasi

Titolo della tesi: Modelling, simulation and analysis of the electrical distribution system of a nuclear fusion reactor and its connection to the grid

Nuclear fusion represents an attractive and sustainable source of clean energy for the future. However, its successful implementation relies heavily on a robust and efficiently managed electrical distribution network. This thesis explores the development of simulation models for analyzing such a network supporting a nuclear fusion reactor. The research, conducted between 2020 and 2023, focuses on assessing network connectivity, potential impacts, and safety aspects during operation. Advanced simulation tools like PowerFactory were employed to model and verify the proposed distribution network design, ensuring its efficiency and reliability. The thesis addresses both the technical intricacies of the design and the paramount importance of operational safety. By modeling various operational scenarios and their implications, this research contributes valuable insights towards achieving a safe and efficient nuclear fusion energy distribution network. The context of this research is framed within the ambitious nuclear fusion project, requiring significant resources for large-scale power generation. The EUROfusion Roadmap outlines a strategic path for pursuing fusion energy in Europe, with key milestones like ITER (completion by 2030) and DEMO projects. These international collaborations aim to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of nuclear fusion for electricity production. This thesis specifically focuses on modeling the electrical distribution network for a nuclear fusion power plant, with a view towards ensuring the safety and feasibility of design choices for projects like DTT and DEMO. The research delves into various aspects, including socioeconomic considerations, nuclear physics, tokamak operation, and simulation model development for the electrical distribution system. Dedicated chapters explore these topics in detail. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the socioeconomic implications of nuclear fusion exploitation for electricity generation, together with the fundamental physics behind the process. An introduction of the technologies developed so far is also given, with a particular focus on tokamak devices. Chapter 2 delves with the requirements of a Nuclear Fusion Power Plant (NFPP) both in terms of the necessary component systems and in terms of standards and regulations governing its operations. Chapter 3 centers on optimizing the design of a nuclear fusion facility’s internal electrical distribution network. To achieve this goal, simulation models were developed and applied to analyze various aspects across two case studies. The analyses included preliminary design, sizing, operation analysis, and progress in the design of the electrical distribution system for the DTT project. Additionally, a Probabilistic Power Flow (PPF) analysis is employed to define and quantify the uncertainties associated with power demand and absorption within the DEMO plant’s electrical grid. Conclusions are reported in Chapter 4. The publications related to the work carried out during the PhD course can be found in the references.

Produzione scientifica

11573/1708656 - 2024 - Overview on the applicability of the ITER/NPP-like technologies to the DEMO plant electrical system and promising alternatives
Ferro, Alberto; Franke, Thomas; Gaio, Elena; Bifaretti, Stefano; Bignucolo, Fabio; Biondi, Roberto; Rodriguez, Pablo Bravo; Caldora, Marzia; Chen, Zhe; Dan, Mattia; Nardi, Marco De; Falvo, Maria Carmen; Fasel, Damien; Uriarte, Ramon Iturbe; Lampasi, Alessandro; Lunardon, Francesco; Ma, Kaiqi; Magnanimo, Antonio; Maistrello, Alberto; Manganelli, Matteo; Minucci, Simone; Ottonello, Fabio; Panella, Stefano; Pipolo, Sabino; Recchia, Mauro; Rouco, Felipe Gonzalez; Santoro, Francesco; Portela, Segismundo Seijas; Terlizzi, Cristina; Turri, Roberto; Wang, Yanbo; Zhang, Hanwen; Zito, Pietro; Federici, Gianfranco; Ciattaglia, Sergio; Barucca, Luciana; Corato, Valentina - 01a Articolo in rivista
rivista: IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON PLASMA SCIENCE (IEEE / Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Incorporated:445 Hoes Lane:Piscataway, NJ 08854:(800)701-4333, (732)981-0060, EMAIL: subscription-service@ieee.org, INTERNET: http://www.ieee.org, Fax: (732)981-9667) pp. 1-8 - issn: 0093-3813 - wos: WOS:001176664700001 (0) - scopus: 2-s2.0-85187984756 (1)

11573/1702350 - 2023 - Analysis for the Integration of the Toroidal Field Power Supply in the DTT Nuclear Fusion Facility
Benedetti, Elena; Lampasi, Alessandro; Pipolo, Sabino; Falvo, Maria Carmen; Caldora, Marzia; Trotta, Antonio - 04b Atto di convegno in volume
congresso: 2023 AEIT International Annual Conference (AEIT) (Rome; Italy)
libro: 2023 AEIT International Annual Conference (AEIT) - (9788887237603)

11573/1690140 - 2023 - Preliminary sizing and operation analysis of the DTT electrical network system
Caldora, Marzia; Manganelli, Matteo; Falvo, Maria Carmen; Minucci, Simone; Lampasi, Alessandro; Romano, Roberto - 04b Atto di convegno in volume
congresso: 2023 IEEE International Conference on Environment and Electrical Engineering and 2023 IEEE Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Europe, EEEIC / I and CPS Europe 2023 (Madrid; Spain)
libro: Proceedings 2023 IEEE International Conference on Environment and Electrical Engineering and 2023 IEEE Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Europe, EEEIC / I and CPS Europe 2023 - (979-8-3503-4743-2)

11573/1671851 - 2022 - Synchronous condensers with flywheel for power systems with high penetration of RES: the case of Italian transmission grid
Caldora, M.; Cantoni, L.; Falvo, M. C.; Coretti, A.; Lazzarin, A.; Vergine, C.; Cinque, A.; Aluisio, B. - 04b Atto di convegno in volume
congresso: 2022 AEIT International annual conference, AEIT 2022 (Rome; Italy)
libro: 2022 AEIT International annual conference, AEIT 2022 - (978-88-87237-55-9)

11573/1671845 - 2022 - Progress in the design of the DTT electrical distribution system
Caldora, M.; Minucci, S.; Greco, G.; Lampasi, A.; Romano, R.; Falvo, M. C. - 04b Atto di convegno in volume
congresso: 2022 IEEE 21st Mediterranean electrotechnical conference (MELECON) (Palermo; Italy)
libro: MELECON 2022 - IEEE Mediterranean electrotechnical conference, Proceedings - (978-1-6654-4280-0)

11573/1559678 - 2021 - Preliminary design of the electrical power systems for DTT nuclear fusion plant
Caldora, Marzia; Falvo, Maria Carmen; Lampasi, Alessandro; Marelli, Gianluca - 01a Articolo in rivista
rivista: APPLIED SCIENCES (Basel: MDPI AG, 2011-) pp. 1-14 - issn: 2076-3417 - wos: WOS:000666058600001 (9) - scopus: 2-s2.0-85108343645 (12)

11573/1572492 - 2021 - Power systems for the DTT nuclear fusion experiment
Caldora, Marzia; Greco, Gabriele; Falvo, Maria Carmen; Marelli, Gianluca; Bigioni, Stefano; Caucci, Stafano; Trotta, Antonio; Romano, Roberto; Zito, Pietro; Lampasi, Domenico Alessandro - 04b Atto di convegno in volume
congresso: 2021 IEEE International Conference on Environment and Electrical Engineering (Bari; Italy)
libro: EEEIC21 Proceedings - ()

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