A SuperCode'' for performing systems analysis of tokamak experiments and reactors

A new code, named the SUPERCODE,'' has been developed to fill the gap between currently available zero dimensional systems codes and highly sophisticated, multidimensional plasma performance codes. The former are comprehensive in content, fast to execute, but rather simple in terms of the accuracy of the physics and engineering models. The latter contain state-of-the-art plasma physics modelling but are limited in engineering content and time consuming to run. The SUPERCODE upgrades the reliability and accuracy of systems codes by calculating the self consistent 1 1/2 dimensional MHD-transport plasma evolution in a realistic engineering environment. By a combination of variational techniques and careful formation, there is only a modest increase in CPU time over O-D runs, thereby making the SUPERCODE suitable for use as a systems studies tool. In addition, considerable effort has been expended to make the code user- and programming-friendly, as well as operationally flexible, with the hope of encouraging wide usage throughout the fusion community.