Preparing the Plasma Control System final design for ITER first plasma operations

Although only a limited set of control functions will be required, the design, implementation and first utilization of the ITER plasma control system (PCS) will be a great challenge. It will test the effectiveness and efficiency of the planned control assessment, implementation and commissioning procedures. The final design description and assessment of all functions should be clear, to facilitate a smooth implementation. The design should take into account the use-cases based on the first integrated commissioning of the ITER plant. The PCS integrated commissioning plans will need to be integrated with plant system commissioning and actual plasma operation. Plant models and simulations are essential to prepare the design and commissioning of PCS. Validation of PCS design models, simulations and operation scenario development form an integral part of both the control system commissioning and plasma operation preparation. The staged approach to bring the ITER plant up to full performance will require the PCS to be upgraded with new control functions and commissioned at each stage, and the first plasma operation stage will have to show that all the relevant procedures run smoothly.