On April 15, at the 2024 Spring International Forum on Nuclear Energy Sustainable Development of the China Nuclear Energy Industry Association, the blue book of "China Nuclear Energy Development Report (2024)" was officially released in Beijing. On the basis of a summary analysis of my country's nuclear energy development situation, the Blue Book recommends that my country's nuclear energy development should strengthen the guidance of scientific and technological innovation to ensure the sustainable development of nuclear energy: strengthen national top-level coordination, formulate the "Three-Step" Development Strategy for Nuclear Energy ", and clarify development goals, paths and Focus on promoting basic research and development and the implementation of key projects; continue to improve the economy and safety of independent third-generation large pressurized water reactor nuclear power plants and small modular reactors through design optimization; Implement major scientific and technological projects, incorporate the integrated closed sodium-cooled fast reactor demonstration project and China fusion engineering test reactor into major national scientific and technological projects; optimize Basic scientific research conditions, and lay out and build large-scale nuclear scientific research infrastructure such as ultra-high flux fast neutron research reactors and post-processing scientific research facilities.

The blue book of "China Nuclear Energy Development Report (2024)" is co-edited by China Nuclear Energy Industry Association, China Nuclear Strategic Planning Research Institute and China Intelligence Science and Technology Evaluation Research Center. As an annual regular public publication, it publishes important annual data on China's nuclear energy development to objectively, fairly and professionally comprehensively reflect and analyze the development status and trends of China's nuclear energy industry.

New progress has been made in the high-quality development of the nuclear energy industry

"The number of newly started nuclear power units has reached the highest level in nearly five years, and the total installed capacity of nuclear power units under construction ranks first in the world"

The "Blue Book" shows that my country's nuclear power industry is accelerating its development in a safe and orderly manner. "As of now, my country has a total of 55 commercial nuclear power units, with a total installed capacity of 57.03 million kilowatts, ranking third in the world; 38 nuclear power units are under construction and approved, with a total installed capacity of 44.8 million kilowatts, ranking first in the world; In 2023, China's nuclear power unit power generation will be 433.4 billion kilowatt hours, ranking second in the world, accounting for 4.86% of the national power generation, only 50% of the current global average, and the annual equivalent emission reduction of carbon dioxide is approximately 340 million tons." Zhang Tingke, vice chairman and secretary general of China Nuclear Energy Industry Association, introduced.

In terms of nuclear energy industry chain and supply chain capabilities, uranium prospecting operations have achieved remarkable results. In 2023, 950,000 meters of drilling work will be invested, and the amount of new resources will increase significantly throughout the year, reaching 2.5 times the planned target. The two major uranium purification and conversion bases in the north and south are operating stably, the expansion of uranium enrichment production lines is advancing in an orderly manner, the nuclear fuel element processing capacity meets demand, and the application of CF3 independent brand nuclear fuel assemblies continues to be promoted. In terms of spent fuel and radioactive waste management, the iron spent fuel transportation system on the high seas has continued to be consolidated, multiple batch transportation tasks have been completed, the construction of spent fuel storage capacity has been continuously increased, scientific research and capacity building for reprocessing have been steadily advanced, and the "regional + centralized" disposal layout of medium and low radioactive waste has been initially formed. The nuclear power equipment manufacturing industry chain continues to improve and stabilize. In 2023, a total of 54 sets of domestic nuclear power main equipment will be delivered, maintaining a high level.

At the same time, the nuclear technology application industry has entered a stage of rapid development. Comprehensively deploy and promote the construction of independent production facilities and capabilities for medical isotopes, and strive to achieve independent production and supply of major medical isotopes such as carbon 14 and iodine 131 from 2024 to 2025; achieve independent production of stable isotope ytterbium 176 and kilogram molybdenum 100. Breakthroughs; accelerator technology research and development and production capacity construction have made new breakthroughs. The production capacity construction and innovative research and development of radiopharmaceutical are in full swing. Civil construction of the North China Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Treatment Drug Production Base has been completed. Various high-end nuclear medical equipment has achieved important node breakthroughs. The application of nuclear technology in the fields of industrial irradiation and security continues to expand.

Nuclear energy science and technology innovation reaches a new level

"The engineering design of the integrated closed-cycle sodium-cooled fast reactor nuclear system has been solidly advanced, and the thorium-based molten salt experimental reactor has obtained a national operation license"

The "Blue Book" shows that my country's advanced nuclear energy technology continues to innovate and develop. By the end of 2023, the national major science and technology special high temperature gas-cooled reactor demonstration project will be put into commercial operation, and the construction of the "Guohe-1" demonstration project will be steadily advanced. Continue to strengthen the design optimization of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor nuclear power technology, carry out research on operation maintenance, in-service inspections, nuclear energy heating and hydrogen production, increase research on key pump and valve equipment, and actively promote the promotion and application of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors. "Hualong One" steadily promotes the development of spectrum and serialization. During the batch construction process, it aims to continuously improve safety, economy and advancement, increases technology research and development efforts, optimizes design plans and configurations, and improves equipment localization rate and promotes iterative upgrading. The engineering design of the nuclear energy system of the integrated closed-cycle sodium-cooled fast reactor has been solidly advanced, the research and development technical capabilities of lead (bismuth)-based reactors have been continuously improved, and the thorium-based molten salt experimental reactor has obtained a national operation license. In terms of small reactors, the first reactor project of "Linglong-1" is progressing steadily, and the design of NHR200-II low-temperature heating reactor and Guohe Series integrated heating reactor continues to be optimized. In terms of fusion technology, the Eastern Hyperloop and China Circulation-3 continue to make new progress. In terms of nuclear fuel cycle technology innovation, my country's uranium exploration, mining and smelting technology has made new progress, and the efficient, economic and intelligent mining capabilities of uranium resources in complex areas and deep strata have been greatly improved; domestic advanced fuel assemblies CF4, SAF-14, STEP-12C and other research and development continue to advance, and ATF fuel assemblies have completed the first cycle test. The R & D strength of decommissioned management technology has been enhanced, the independently developed TBP pyrolysis incineration facility has been put into operation, and various tasks in the construction of an underground laboratory for deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste are progressing smoothly. In addition, the "Blue Book" also shows that the management and safety assurance of the nuclear energy industry have achieved remarkable results in 2023. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress has included the Atomic Energy Law in its legislative plan; relevant government departments have actively promoted the revision of the Law on the Prevention and Control of Radioactive Pollution and the legislative research on the Nuclear Damage Compensation Law, as well as the formulation and revision of the Nuclear Power Management Regulations. The management level of the nuclear energy industry and nuclear and radiation safety supervision capabilities continue to improve, nuclear emergency management continues to improve, nuclear security and nuclear material control have been further strengthened, and exchanges in the nuclear energy industry have become more extensive.

This article is reproduced to the Nuclear Energy Special Committee of China Energy Research Association

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