Elevating zero-dimensional predictions of tokamak plasmas to self-consistent theory-based simulations

A new workflow in the OMFIT integrated-modelling framework has been developed to predict profiles and energy confinement, based on zero-dimensional (0D) tokamak quantities. This workflow addresses one of the present limitations of systems studies, which currently relies on the experimental energy confinement scaling law $\tau_{98,y2}$. We seek to obtain a fully theoretical prediction by progressively dropping assumptions and replacing simple scaling laws with state-of-the-art theory-based physics models. In OMFIT the PRO-create (profiles creator) module generates physically plausible plasma profiles and a consistent equilibrium using the same $\tau_{98,y2}$ 0D parameters. This result forms the starting point for the STEP (Stability, Transport, Equilibrium, and Pedestal) module which iterates between equilibrium, sources, core transport, and pedestal calculations to obtain a self-consistent solution. We will report on the validation of this workflow, as has been carried out on the ITER H-98P(y,2) database and a series of DIII-D plasmas, yielding a theory-based energy confinement scaling, and its applications towards the evaluation of potential DIII-D upgrades and the design optimization of next generation fusion devices.