The world's first pebble-bed modular high-temperature gas-cooled reactor — the Huaneng Shidao Bay high-temperature gas-cooled reactor demonstration project — made its first appearance at the China Pavilion of the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) that opened on Nov 5 in Shanghai.
China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd. also held a signing ceremony for the procurement of intelligent high-end equipment and services on Nov 6, signing eight projects with a combined value of 4.59 billion yuan ($629.7 million). A total of 219 representatives from 11 secondary units of China Huaneng Group participated in this year's CIIE.
A model of the Huaneng Shidao Bay high-temperature gas-cooled reactor demonstration project of China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd. is displayed at the China Pavilion of the 6th CIIE. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The Huaneng Shidao Bay high-temperature gas-cooled reactor demonstration project was selected into the China Pavilion at the 6th CIIE and was exhibited in the "Building a Beautiful China" area with the theme of "Modernization of Harmonious Coexistence of Man and Nature — New Opportunities for Green Development". Through physical models and interactive videos, the project's power generation principles, construction process and versatile applications were demonstrated.
With an installed capacity of 200,000 kilowatts, the demonstration project has the main technical features of fourth-generation reactors. It has conquered a number of key world and industry-leading technologies, and achieved a domestic equipment localization rate of 93.4 percent. The project is a landmark and leading initiative in China's world-leading advanced fourth-generation nuclear energy industry.
The modular high-temperature gas-cooled reactor technology boasts inherent safety, simple systems, high electricity generation efficiency, and a wide range of uses. It has broad commercial prospects spanning nuclear power generation, nuclear hydrogen production, cogeneration cooling heating and power, and high-temperature processes thermal applications.
The Huaneng Shidao Bay high-temperature gas-cooled reactor demonstration project started construction in Rongcheng, Shandong Province in late 2012. It completed its first loading in August 2021, first criticality in September, and grid-connected power generation in December. In 2022, it achieved initial full-power operation with both reactors.
During the CIIE signing ceremony, China Huaneng Group signed eight procurement contracts or cooperation agreements with partners such as Siemens Energy, General Electric, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for gas turbine technology equipment and services. These sets of equipment and services will be used in the company's clean energy projects in Tianjin, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guangdong, and other locations to further deepen technical cooperation, optimize power structures, promote green transformation, and contribute to the realization of China's dual-carbon goals.
(Executive editor: Xie Yunxiao)
