A proof of principle spheromak experiment: The next step on a recently opened path to economical fusion power

A proof of principle experiment to study closed-flux energy confinement of a spheromak sustained by imposed dynamo current drive is described. A two-fluid validated NIMROD code has simulated closed-flux sustainment on a stable spheromak using imposed dynamo current drive (IDCD), demonstrating that dynamo current drive is compatible with closed flux. (submitted for publication and see adjacent poster.(spsap)) HIT-SI, $a=$\textit{0.25 m}, has achieved 90 kA of toroidal current, current gains of nearly 4, and operation from 5.5kHz to 68 kHz, demonstrating the robustness of the method.(spsap) Finally, a reactor design study using fusion technology developed for ITER and modern nuclear technology shows a design that is economically superior to coal.(spsap) The spheromak reactor and development path are about a factor of 10 less expensive than that of the tokamak/stellarator. These exciting results justify a proof of principle (PoP) confinement experiment of a spheromak sustained by IDCD. Such an experiment (R $=$ 1.5 m, a $=$ 1 m, I$_{\mathrm{tor}} =$ 3.2 MA, n$=$4e19/m3, T $=$ 3 keV) is described in detail.