Plasma Power Balance

The accounting of heating in versus losses out that determines whether a plasma produces net power.

Breeder heating

25.9 MW

Breeder gain

3.424

A plasma's power balance sums the inputs — auxiliary heating plus any self-heating — against the losses — transport, radiation and exhaust. Steady operation means they balance at the design temperature. HYPERION balances 25.9 MW of heating against its losses to sustain Q = 3.424.

Getting this ledger right, and reporting it honestly at the plant level rather than only the plasma level, is central to the Kronos method.