Analysis of the Updated ITPA Global H-Mode Confinement Database

We report on the initial analysis of the ITPA global H-mode database, which has been updated with data closer to ITER baseline and hybrid conditions, including discharges from high-Z wall devices, specifically from ASDEX Upgrade W-wall and JET ILW operation. New and revised data has led to a reduction in the linear correlations among predictor variables relative to those that existed in developing the IPB98y2 scaling. Using standard constraints, individual device scalings suggest that the relatively strong density dependence observed in IPB98y2 arises primarily from the older, more circular devices and JET carbon-wall discharges. The data from higher- shaped and high-Z wall discharges exhibit a more modest density dependence. High-Z wall data also exhibit power degradations less severe than IPB98y,2, although on average IPB98y,2 slightly overpredicts their confinement by 5 to 10%. Regression analysis of the collection of this standard set confirm the more modest density and power degradation dependences. Results of this analysis, along with those of subsets of the data that reside close to the ITER operating range in q₉₅, a/R, elongation, and Z_eff will be presented.