Preliminary risks analysis of the IGNITOR Project realization phase

In the framework of the joint Russian – Italian collaboration on the development of the IGNITOR project some preliminary estimates of the risk factors that may be occurring during the realization of the project were recently carried out. A distinctive feature of the IGNITOR project is the fact that it contains some innovative solutions in the areas of research, engineering and technology, often having no analogues not only in industry but also outside the specific laboratories and research centers responsible for the development of necessary components. In addition, it is necessary to point out several peculiarities of the IGNITOR project, which distinguish it from other large-scale scientific projects in the sphere of controlled thermonuclear fusion with magnetic confinement, implemented on the basis of the tokamak technology, and which are risk-related in terms of the project realization: 1. The super strong magnetic fields (up to 13 T); 2. The high plasma current discharge (up to 11 MA); 3. Ohmic heating as the main mechanism of ignition of the thermonuclear fusion reaction. During of the risk analysis investigation the following categories of risks were identified: ● political; ● economical; ● achievement of the main goal of the project; ● technical and technological risks; ● risks of implementation of the scientific research program; ● environmental, safety and socio-economical risks. The different impact factors on the realization phase of the IGNITOR project are shown and analyzed. The conclusions of the risks analysis that were obtained are summarized in the joint Table, where the risk category, the description of the problem, circumstances, risk mitigation method and comments are displayed.