World’s First fourth generation nuclear reactor

December 9, 2023

China began commercial operations of the world’s first fourth generation, gas-cooled nuclear reactor power plant.
The Shidao Bay plant in eastern Shandong province is powered by two high-temperature reactors cooled by gas rather than pressurised water.
The facility, which began construction in 2012, features two 250 megawatt thermal reactors and a steam generator with an installed capacity of 200 megawatts.
Conventional reactors produce electricity from nuclear energy. However, these advanced models — known as small modular reactors, or SMRs — can be used for other applications that include heating, desalination or steam for industrial needs.
Instead of using water to cool the system, the high-temperature reactor will be cooled using helium gas, offering a promising way to develop more inland nuclear plants, as they will not need to be located next to a water source.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, more than 80 SMR projects are currently under development in 18 countries.