China installs core module of world's first commercial small nuclear reactor - CGTN
China installs core module of world's first commercial small nuclear reactor - CGTN
The installation of the core module of China's Linglong One small modular reactor, south China's Hainan Province, August 10, 2023. /CNNC
The core module of China's Linglong One, the world's first commercial small modular reactor (SMR), was successfully installed on Thursday in south China's Hainan Province, marking a milestone node of the SMR's installation.
The core module, dubbed as the heart of Linglong One, consists of pressure vessel, steam generator, primary pump receiver and other critical equipment.
Its steam generator had been welded in the reactor pressure vessel before lifting, which is similar to integrating the "lung" and "heart" of the nuclear power plant.
Small size, flexible deployment, green contributor
The installation of the core module of China's Linglong One small modular reactor, south China's Hainan Province, August 10, 2023. /CNNC
Modular structure is the most prominent feature of Linglong One, which enables short manufacturing cycle with lower cost but higher security.
With a simplified system, the SMR excels in small size, making it easy to be transported and operated. It can also be customized and deployed flexibly based on the client's requirements, contributing to significant economic benefits.
The core module of China's Linglong One small modular reactor. /CNNC
As the world's first land-based commercial small modular pressurized water reactor developed by China National Nuclear Corporation, Linglong One, with a power generation capacity of 125 megawatts, can generate 1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year once completed, which can meet the need of 526,000 households, and is equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 880,000 tonnes, or planting 7.5 million trees.
It can be applied in multiple scenarios like seawater desalination, urban district heating, industrial steam supply and oil extraction.
The reactor will not only facilitate building Hainan into a "clean energy island" and meeting the country's dual carbon goals toward carbon peak and neutrality, but also promote the global development of nuclear energy.
Related Knowledge Center: ENERGY BASICS: nuclear
Nuclear energy provides almost 20 percent of the U.S. electricity supply. Advocates have called for an expanded role for nuclear as an emissions-free fuel source. But the economics of building new reactors are daunting. In addition, lingering safety concerns are an institutionalized part of the calculation of nuclear regulation, and highly radioactive nuclear waste remains a can that public officials have been inclined to kick down the road. The Energy Information Administration projects a sharp decline in nuclear power generation over the next decade, as new nuclear plants — two are planned — are more than offset by anticipated retirements of several operating reactors.