China commissions control room for its first small modular reactor, ACP100

China’s ACP100 small modular reactor at Changjiang has reached another important milestone. Specifically, the control system in the control room of the 125 MW unit has been switched on. China began construction of its demonstration small reactor in 2021, and it is scheduled to enter commercial operation in 2026.

China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced that on May 21 it commissioned the control room of its small modular reactor (SMR) at the Changjiang nuclear power plant. China began developing the 125 MW ACP100 reactor, also known as Linglong One, in 2010.

"The main control room of Linglong One is using wall-mounted monitoring screens for the first time, significantly optimizing space efficiency. We expect the main control room and control system to jointly control and monitor hundreds of systems, tens of thousands of devices and various operating conditions in the nuclear unit," CNNC said in a press release.

The digital control system (DCS) consists of two platforms developed in China, Longlin and Longqi. The Longlin platform provides safety control for the nuclear reactor. The Longqi platform is responsible for controlling the nuclear unit and ensuring efficient and economical operation.

China’s first modular reactor

China completed the preliminary design of the ACP100 small modular reactor in 2014, after 4 years. In 2016, it became the first modular reactor to pass a safety review by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). CNNC decided to build the demonstration unit in 2019, and in 2021 officially began construction with the first concrete pour. The company expects commercial operation after 58 months of construction in 2026.

"Once the unit is completed, we expect it to generate 1 billion kWh of electricity annually, equivalent to the energy consumption of 526 000 households. In addition, it will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 880 000 tonnes a year, roughly equivalent to planting 7.5 million trees," CNNC added.

The Linglong One unit can also be used for heating, steam production or seawater desalination, in addition to generating electricity.