Systematic commissioning of the Plasma Control System for ITER Start of Research Operation

The design of any system is incomplete without a clear strategy for deployment. Accordingly, as part of the systematic development of the ITER Plasma Control System (PCS), a comprehensive commissioning plan has been created to rigorously verify its functionality. Commissioning is a complex and high-stakes task that must be executed with precision to minimize potential risks. Any issues at this stage could lead to significant loss of operational time or, in the worst case, a disruption of the plasma discharge with the potential to damage the device. The challenge of developing this plan is compounded by the wide range of PCS functions requiring validation, which increases the risk of overlooking critical tests. A substantial portion of commissioning will have to take place during actual ITER plasma operation, adding further complexity. These factors make it imperative to establish a complete, systematic, and efficient plan. This paper details the development of that plan and demonstrates how it ensures thorough validation while aligning closely with ITER’s broader strategy for its initial operational phase, the Start of Research Operation (SRO).