The comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy has broad prospects



As a clean energy, nuclear energy has unique advantages and development potential in reducing coal consumption, effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and easing energy transmission pressure, and is an important energy component to achieve the goal of "carbon peak and carbon neutrality". In addition to the traditional nuclear power generation, the comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy has a wide range of connotations and diverse application scenarios, which can be used for district heating, industrial heating (cooling), seawater desalination, nuclear hydrogen production, isotope production, etc. In addition, in special scenarios such as space navigation, deep-sea exploration, and island energy supply, nuclear energy also has special advantages such as strong sustainability and diverse forms of energy supply.

As an important source of low-carbon electricity and heat, nuclear energy will play an important role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, and is a key driving force for promoting global clean transformation and building a modern energy system, according to the reports of several authoritative institutions, such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the World Nuclear Society. According to the 2021 edition of the World Nuclear Power Reactors report released by the International Atomic Energy Agency, by the end of 2020, in 32 countries around the world, a total of 442 nuclear power units in operation, 69 units in 11 countries in addition to nuclear power generation, but also to achieve one or two of the comprehensive utilization of district heating, industrial heating, seawater desalination, etc.

With unremitting efforts, China's nuclear power development scale has become one of the leading countries in the world, its scientific and technological innovation capacity has been greatly improved, and it has achieved leapfrog development in safety level, equipment manufacturing, fuel support and human resources, and is making great strides toward becoming a nuclear power in the world. By the end of 2021, the Chinese mainland will have 53 nuclear power units in operation, with an installed capacity of 54.65 million kilowatts and an annual generating capacity of 407.1 billion kilowatt-hours, according to data released by the China Nuclear Energy Industry Association. In the context of achieving the goal of "dual carbon", China has a huge space for comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy.

China attaches great importance to promoting the comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy. The "Opinions on Fully, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept to Achieve Peak carbon neutrality" issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and The State Council clearly states, "Accelerate the promotion of cogeneration central heating in northern cities and towns, accelerate the large-scale development of industrial waste heat heating, and actively and steadily promote nuclear waste heat heating." In March this year, the "14th Five-Year Plan for Modern Energy System" issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration once again proposed to "actively and safely develop nuclear power in an orderly manner" and "promote the comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy in clean heating, industrial heating, seawater desalination and other fields".

From the practical level, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, CNNC has been working at full speed to actively expand the field of multi-purpose utilization of nuclear energy, fully meet the market demand around nuclear power plants, actively promote nuclear power waste heat heating, and promote the construction of nuclear energy comprehensive utilization demonstration projects in nuclear power bases.

In recent years, Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant in Zhejiang Province and Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant in Shandong Province have used nuclear cogeneration technology to heat urban residents. The world's first spherical bed modular high temperature gas cooled reactor nuclear power plant has been connected to the grid in Rongcheng, Shandong province. The world's first onshore commercial modular small reactor has started construction in Changjiang, Hainan Province. China's first industrial nuclear power steam supply project - Jiangsu Tianwan nuclear power steam power supply project started construction... The comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy, especially in energy-intensive industries, will further highlight the zero-carbon value of nuclear energy.

In short, the comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy has broad prospects, scientific research and innovation are booming, and I believe that China will surely walk in the forefront of the world. With the continuous promotion of the "dual carbon" action and the deepening of the implementation of the energy security strategy, nuclear energy will play an indispensable role in supporting the realization of China's "dual carbon" goal, and the comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy will also usher in new development opportunities.