China National Nuclear Corporation has developed the first generator to use carbon dioxide instead of steam.
It is the first commercial power source of its type and an important step towards cleaner global energy.
China National Nuclear Corporation’s generators convert waste heat into useful electricity, Newsweek reported. This supercritical carbon dioxide generator provides a clean energy solution and promotes China’s pollution reduction efforts.
The company connected generators from a steel plant in Guizhou province to the grid. There, it will capture waste heat from steel production and convert it directly into electricity.
The company expects the generator to be 50% more efficient than existing technology. As a result, it also serves as a model for other power plants and industrial applications around the world.
This energy development is encouraging because it contributes to a clean energy mix and is a substantial step forward for advanced nuclear technology. It delivers high power in a small footprint, making it suitable for spacecraft, ships and other confined spaces.
“The Chinese are moving very, very fast. They are very keen to show the world that their plan is unstoppable,” nuclear expert Mark Hibbs told the New York Times.
Nuclear power is often misunderstood and controversial, but it is an important part of a sustainable energy transition away from polluting sources and towards cheaper, cleaner forms of energy such as wind and solar.
Nuclear power plants are also known for radioactive leaks and the production of hazardous waste. Safety and environmental concerns are legitimate. Yet they still offer a promising transition away from polluting coal, oil and gas.
However, recent developments at China National Nuclear Corporation and its partner Jigang International Engineering Technology Co., Ltd. are paving the way for nuclear power expansion in China and beyond.
China is currently looking to scale up its new power generation systems to be deployed in nuclear power plants, steel plants and solar power plants.
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