Nuclear energy points way to greener, cleaner future

Safety a priority

Zhou Dadi, a senior researcher at the National Development and Reform Commission's Energy Research Institute, said that for more than three decades China has conducted research on using nuclear energy to provide heating, and has developed mature technologies.

Wu Fang, chairman of Shandong Nuclear Power Co, said, "Safety is the first prerequisite we need to consider when we develop nuclear power."

In 2019, trials to use steam from nuclear power for winter heating began in Haiyang, when more than 7,000 households started to use this new system, followed by a second phase last year that covered the entire urban area of the city.

The heating system extracts nonradioactive steam from the secondary circuit of the nuclear unit. The steam is then fed through a multistage heat exchanger at the plant.

Heat is subsequently channeled to a thermal power supply company to heat water flowing to consumers through municipal pipelines.

Wu said, "During this process, only heat is transferred, with no hot water being exchanged, ensuring the safety and reliability of nuclear energy heating."

Smart devices are used in the heating system to guarantee safety and efficiency.

Li Changke, assistant to the general manager of Fengyuan Thermal Power Co, which is cooperating with Shandong Nuclear Power Co, said, "Devices have been installed on the pipeline network to monitor any water leakage or damage to insulation layers."

The heating system at the nuclear plant is included in the city's smart heating platform.

"We use smart equipment to adjust the heating supply according to the weather," Li added.