China launches the world’s 1st fourth-generation nuclear reactor
China is attempting to wean itself off of coal-fired power facilities and minimise its reliance on foreign technology.
The world’s first next-generation, gas-cooled nuclear reactor power facility began commercial operations in China on Wednesday, according to official media. According to Chinese news agency Xinhua, the Shidao Bay plant in eastern Shandong province is powered by two high-temperature reactors cooled by gas rather than pressurised water, making it more efficient and cost-effective. Nuclear energy is used to generate power in conventional reactors. These upgraded types, known as small modular reactors, or SMRs, can, however, be utilised for other uses like as heating, desalination, or industrial steam.
In the midst of tensions with Western countries, China is attempting to transition away from coal-fired power plants and lessen its reliance on foreign technologies. According to project manager Zhang Yanxu, more than 90% of the Shidao Bay plant’s equipment is of Chinese design. The plant’s construction began in 2012, and the first SMR was connected to the power grid in 2021. Multi-use SMRs, according to proponents, might play a critical role in decarbonisation and energy transition due to their compact and streamlined architecture, with their modular design decreasing costs and building time.
More than 80 SMR projects are currently being developed in 18 nations, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.