⚡ World's first fourth-generation nuclear reactor starts up

⚡ World's first fourth-generation nuclear reactor starts up

Commercial operations have started at a new generation nuclear reactor that is the first of its kind in the world.

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Commercial operations have started at a new generation nuclear reactor that is the first of its kind in the world, media said on Wednesday.

Compared with previous reactors, the fourth-generation Shidaowan plant is designed to use fuel more efficiently and improve its economics, safety and environmental footprint.

Modular design

The 200 megawatt (MW) high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor (HTGCR) plant developed jointly by state-run utility Huaneng, Tsinghua University and China National Nuclear Corporation, uses a modular design.

Modular plants refer to those of less than 300MW that can be constructed off-site. Proponents say they can operate in remote locations and power traditionally hard-to-abate heavy industry sectors, but critics say they are too expensive.

Solves many of the problems with nuclear power

In today's nuclear reactors, no more than about five percent of the uranium stored in the reactor is consumed during operation. The rest is waste. In the fourth generation of nuclear power, up to 99 percent of the energy in natural uranium can be extracted. What is today seen as a problem, nuclear waste, becomes a resource that will last for thousands of years to come with the fourth generation of nuclear power.

Read more in our Optimist's Edge article:

💡 Optimist’s Edge: This is what you need to know about the nuclear power of the future
The fourth generation nuclear power is not that far away and has greater benefits than you think. In this article, two experts reveal everything you need to know about the energy production of the future.
Warp NewsMagnus Aschan

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News tips: Thomas Ahlström

⚡️ EnergyNuclear fissionGen IV nuclear

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