The reactor uses tiny balls of fuel and heats gas to generate electricity.
In what can be termed a significant achievement in the development of next-generation nuclear reactor technology, China claims to have successfully commissioned the world’s first Generation IV commercial nuclear reactor.
The Shidao Bay Nuclear Power Plant’s HTR-PM high-temperature gas-cooled (HTGR) pebble-bed reactor, situated in Shidao Bay, Shandong Province, reportedly commenced operations earlier this month. According to China’s National Energy Administration (NEA), the feat was achieved following a 168-hour demonstration run on December 6.
The HTR-PM Demo project is a joint initiative led by Tsinghua University for R&D and primary components/systems design, China Huaneng Group Co. as the plant owner and operator, and China National Nuclear Co. (CNNC) serving as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor and fuel manufacturer.