733 



APPENDIX I APPENDIX I 



information also has to be carefully worked out. International 

 cooperative efforts also require more time to implement than a 

 comparable domestic effort. Not only do the distances involved 

 make communications more difficult but each nation also has its 

 own way of conducting such exchanges. The inherent political 

 importance of these projects also necessarily requires the 

 increased attention of program management. 



In the first years of the implementation of the exchanges 

 with the Soviet Union, misunderstandings arose over what each side 

 wanted and expected in an exchange. This problem in communication 

 has been resolved by first reaching agreement in writing on the 

 details of the itinerary of the exchange, subjects to be dis- 

 cussed, personnel to be contacted, procedures for the exchanges of 

 materials or equipment, and so forth. Since this procedure was 

 implemented beginning in late 1979, exchanges with the Soviet 

 Union have been comparable to those with Japan or the European 

 Community. 



INDUSTRY'S ROLE 



With the exception of GA Technologies, Inc., private 

 industry's role in the U.S. fusion R&D program is primarily that 

 of a supplier to DOE-supported laboratories. Industry constructs 

 facilities and fabricates components which conform to DOE contract 

 specifications. It is not involved to any significant degree in 

 the planning, design, or operation of fusion R&D facilities. The 

 basic reason for this is that fusion R&D remains essentially a 

 high-risk, very expensive scientific endeavor, still far removed 

 from commercialization. According to DOE and industry representa- 

 tives we talked to, industry does not feel it can undertake such 

 large investments since the return is so distant and uncertain. 

 Consequently, the program is funded by the federal government and 

 conducted primarily at national laboratories and universities. 



The participation of GA Technologies, Inc., in the fusion 

 program is unique. While it is a private company, it conducts 

 fusion R&D activities for DOE. The Doublet-Ill project funded by 

 DOE is located at GA Technologies' facilities at La Jolla, 

 California, and is a major component of DOE's tokamak research 

 effort. 



In contrast to the United States, many Japanese companies are 

 significantly involved in Japan's fusion program. Engineers and 

 scientists from Japanese industry participate in the planning, 

 design, construction, and operation of fusion facilities. A 

 recent report to DOE evaluating the United States-Japan fusion 

 energy exchange programlO states that Japan's institutional 

 framework allows much greater industrial involvement in the 

 Japanese program. The report also states that this difference is 



lO Collection of Background Information on the U .S .-Japanese Fusion 

 Energy Exchange Program (Apr. 30, 1983) . 



