AbstractAt the end of engineering design activities (EDA) in July 2001, all the essential elements became available to make a decision on construction of ITER. A sufficiently detailed and integrated engineering design now exists for a generic site, has been assessed for feasibility, and costed, and essential physics and technology R&D has been carried out to underpin the design choices. Formal negotiations have now begun between the current participants—Canada, Euratom, Japan, and the Russian Federation—on a Joint Implementation Agreement for ITER which also establishes the legal entity to run ITER. These negotiations are supported on technical aspects by Coordinated Technical Activities (CTA), which maintain the integrity of the project, for the good of all participants, and concentrate on preparing for procurement by industry of the longest lead items, and for formal application for a construction license with the host country. This paper highlights the main features of the ITER design. With cryogenically-cooled magnets close to neutron-generating plasma, the design of shielding with adequate access via port plugs for auxiliaries such as heating and diagnostics, and of remote replacement and refurbishing systems for in-vessel components, are particularly interesting nuclear technology challenges. Making a safety case for ITER to satisfy potential regulators and to demonstrate, as far as possible at this stage, the environmental attractiveness of fusion as an energy source, is also important. The paper gives illustrative details on this work, and an update on the progress of technical preparations for construction, as well as the status of the above negotiations.
2001年7月工程设计活动（EDA）结束时，所有基本要素均已具备，足以就ITER的建设作出决定。目前，针对通用场址的详细且综合的工程设计已经完成，并对其可行性进行了评估和成本核算；同时，为支撑设计选择，关键的物理与技术研发工作也已开展。加拿大、欧洲原子能共同体、日本和俄罗斯联邦等现有参与方现已开始就ITER联合实施协议进行正式谈判，该协议还将确立负责运行ITER的法律实体。这些谈判在技术方面得到协调技术活动（CTA）的支持，以维护项目的整体性，惠及所有参与方，并重点为采购周期最长的设备做好工业采购准备，以及为东道国建设许可证的正式申请做好准备。本文重点介绍ITER设计的主要特点。在低温冷却磁体紧邻中子等离子体的条件下，屏蔽设计需通过端口塞为加热、诊断等辅助系统提供充分通道，同时还需设计用于堆内部件的远程更换与修复系统，这些都是极具挑战性的核技术问题。此外，为满足潜在监管机构的要求并尽可能展示聚变作为能源在环境方面的优势，编制安全论证文件同样至关重要。本文将对上述工作提供具体说明，并介绍建设技术准备工作的最新进展以及上述谈判的现状。