On April 10th, according to the official WeChat account of "China National Nuclear Corporation" (CNNC), significant progress has been made in the installation of the Linglong-1, a versatile modular small reactor technology demonstration project under China Nuclear Group's subsidiary, China Nuclear Power Investment Co., Ltd., located in Changjiang, Hainan. The first Distributed Control System (DCS) cabinet of the project has been successfully installed, marking the commencement of the installation and commissioning phase, signifying a new stage in the project's construction.
DCS systems are hailed as the "central nervous system" of nuclear power plants, vital for ensuring the safety, stability, and efficiency of nuclear power station operations. Proudly, the Linglong-1's DCS system adopts domestically developed Dragon Scale platform (safety-grade) and Dragon Fin platform (non-safety-grade), showcasing China's innovative capabilities and independent intellectual property strength in the field of nuclear power technology.
The Dragon Scale platform ensures the safe control of reactors under various operating conditions, providing solid assurance for the safe operation of nuclear power plants. Meanwhile, the Dragon Fin platform is responsible for the operation and management of nuclear power plants, serving as a vital support for ensuring their efficient and economical operation. These two platforms collaborate closely to precisely control the operation of hundreds of subsystems and nearly ten thousand pieces of equipment within the nuclear power plant, ensuring the stability and efficiency of the entire system.
The successful introduction of the first DCS cabinet for the "Linglong-1" reactor marks not only the official transition of the DCS system to the on-site installation phase but also lays a solid foundation for key tasks such as the availability of the main control room. This significant progress injects strong momentum into the smooth advancement of the "Linglong-1" project.
Since its groundbreaking in July 2021 in Changjiang, Hainan, the construction process of the "Linglong-1" has been closely watched. As the world's first onshore commercial modular small pressurized water reactor to commence construction, the "Linglong-1" represents not only China's latest achievement in nuclear power but also showcases China's firm determination in the development of clean energy.
It is estimated that once operational, the project will generate an annual electricity output of 1 billion kilowatt-hours, meeting the power needs of 526,000 households. This figure not only reflects the significant economic benefits of the "Linglong-1" but also highlights its positive role in improving livelihoods and promoting local economic development.
