Search Results

China Develops the Fusion "Cryogenic Heart": How a 20 kW Helium Refrigerator Strengthens China's Initiative in Building Large-Scale Facilities

In a superconducting tokamak, high temperature and deep cryogenic conditions must coexist. Inside the toroidal vacuum vessel, the plasma needs to be heated to extremely high temperatures; outside the vacuum vessel, the superconducting magnets responsible for magnetic confinement must be kept in an environment close to absolute zero. Supporting this coexistence of two temperature regimes is a complex engineering system comprising thermal insulation, shielding, magnets, and cryogenic systems. Among these, the large helium refrigerator continuously supplies cooling capacity to the cryogenic system and is an indispensable cryogenic heart of the facility. On November 5, 2026, the 20 kW, 4.5 Kelvin ultra-large helium refrigerator jointly developed by Henan Zhongke Qingneng Technology Co., Ltd. and the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, held a development summary meeting in Hefei...

2026-11-06

Russia-Africa Summit Concludes with Both Sides Agreeing to Strengthen Cooperation in Nuclear Energy and Fertilizers

Recently, the third Russia-Africa Summit officially concluded in Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin received nearly twenty African heads of state, and the two sides signed multiple cooperation agreements, agreeing to further deepen the strategic partnership in nuclear energy development and fertilizer trade. It is reported that in terms of nuclear energy cooperation, the priorities reached between Russia and multiple African countries cover the entire nuclear energy industry chain, including uranium mining and processing, construction of nuclear power plants of various power scales, and providing full-lifecycle operation and maintenance support for Africa's existing nuclear facilities. In addition to deep binding in the nuclear energy sector, both sides also committed to expanding trade in agricultural products and fertilizers,...

2026-10-30

Strengthening Foundations to Build a Solid Defense Line, Tackling Root Causes to Promote Development — A Sidelight on SNPAS's Three-Year Action for Fundamental Safety Production Improvement

Since 2024, SNPAS System Engineering Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as SNPAS) has fully implemented the deployment requirements of the three-year action for fundamental safety production improvement of the Work Safety Committee of the State Council and State Power Investment Corporation, anchored on the overall goal of "zero accidents, zero fatalities," adhered to the work mainline of "strengthening supervision and ensuring implementation, strengthening foundations and focusing on construction," systematically implemented measures around the four core elements of people, equipment, environment, and management, and cumulatively implemented 143 action measures, safeguarding high-quality development with high-level safety. Focusing on the intrinsic safety of people, strengthening the team through Party building. SNPAS adheres to Party management of safety, incorporates General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on safety production into the "first agenda item," establishes a responsibility checklist for "Party management of safety" and "joint management," and compacts safety production responsibilities...

2026-10-27

Southwest Supervision Station of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment Conducts 2026 Annual Routine Inspection of CNNC Sichuan Environmental Protection: Strengthening Safety Supervision of Nuclear Facility Decommissioning and Radioactive Waste Disposal

Recently, the Southwest Nuclear and Radiation Safety Supervision Station of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (Southwest Supervision Station), in accordance with its annual supervision and inspection work plan, officially launched the 2026 annual comprehensive routine inspection of nuclear and radiation safety at CNNC Sichuan Environmental Protection Engineering Co., Ltd. This inspection strictly follows the principles of precision, science, and law-based administration. The Southwest Supervision Station, drawing on past regulatory practices and historical rectification items, targeted core risk areas of the operating unit, including radioactive waste management in aging nuclear facility decommissioning projects, implementation of environmental protection measures, the quality assurance system of in-service treatment facilities, and the execution of institutional procedures. The inspection team strictly referenced the national supervision and inspection outline, Safety Analysis Report (SAR...

2026-10-11

South China Regulatory Station Strengthens Fusion Device Regulation to Empower New Technology Development

Recently, the South China Nuclear and Radiation Safety Regulatory Station of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (hereinafter referred to as the South China Regulatory Station) conducted a radiation safety regulatory inspection of the J-TEXT tokamak fusion experimental device at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. As the only large and medium-sized tokamak experimental device among Chinese universities, J-TEXT bears the important mission of fusion talent cultivation and frontier physics experiments. The South China Regulatory Station focused on key aspects including equipment operation, radiation protection, and authorization management, meticulously investigated safety hazards, verified the implementation of safety management systems, and urged Huazhong University of Science and Technology to promptly plug safety loopholes and standardize device operation procedures, effectively fortifying the defense line for the safe and stable operation of the fusion experimental device, thereby providing a solid safety guarantee for the orderly conduct of scientific research experiments...

2026-10-08

Strengthen Regulation of Fusion Devices, Empower the Development of New Technologies

Recently, the South China Regional Office of Nuclear and Radiation Safety Supervision of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (hereinafter referred to as the South China Regional Office) conducted a radiation safety supervision inspection of the J-TEXT tokamak fusion experimental device at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. As the only medium-to-large tokamak experimental device at a university in China, J-TEXT bears the important mission of fusion talent cultivation and frontier physics experiments. The South China Regional Office focused on key aspects including equipment operation, radiation protection, and authorization management, meticulously investigated safety hazards, verified the implementation of safety management systems, and urged Huazhong University of Science and Technology to promptly plug safety loopholes and standardize device operation procedures, effectively building a strong defense line for the safe and stable operation of fusion experimental devices, providing solid support for the orderly conduct of scientific research experiments...

2026-10-01

Innovating the Safety Review Pathway to Strengthen the Safety Foundation of High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors — National Nuclear Safety Administration Approves Safety Design Criteria for High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors

Recently, the National Nuclear Safety Administration approved the Safety Design Criteria for the High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor of the Jiangsu Xuwei Nuclear Heating and Power Plant (hereinafter referred to as the Safety Design Criteria). This document further refines the specific safety requirements for high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, provides a foundational basis for the safety design of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, and serves as an important basis for subsequent safety review. This is China's first approved safety design criteria for small nuclear power reactors (hereinafter referred to as small nuclear power reactors), marking that the safety review of small nuclear power reactors has explored a new pathway led by safety design criteria. I. Relevant Background: The Rapid Development of Small Nuclear Power Reactors Calls for Innovation in Review Methods. In recent years, global advanced nuclear energy technologies have been accelerating their evolution...

2026-09-30

Uzbekistan and Turkey to Strengthen Cooperation in the Field of Radiation and Nuclear Safety

Uzbekistan and Turkey reached an important agreement at the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency, aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the field of radiation and nuclear safety. The Scientific and Technical Center for Radiation and Nuclear Safety under the Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety of Uzbekistan and the Turkish Nuclear Technical Support Joint Stock Company (NÜTED) signed the relevant documents, marking concrete steps forward in information exchange and technical collaboration between the two sides. The focus of cooperation lies in effectively utilizing their respective scientific and technological resources, sharing valuable experience, and applying modern safety methods in practical operations. Both sides recognize that in the field of nuclear safety, the exchange of experience and tech...

2026-09-18

China Calls for Advancing SMR Innovation and Strengthening Global Nuclear Energy Cooperation

During the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency, China on the 14th hosted a side event themed "Pooling Efforts for SMR Innovation, Building a Nuclear-Beautiful Home Together," focusing on strengthening international cooperation on small modular reactors (SMRs) worldwide, promoting technological innovation, standards coordination, capacity building and related deployment and application, and providing support for global climate governance and sustainable development. At the side event themed "Pooling Efforts for SMR Innovation, Building a Nuclear-Beautiful Home Together," Shan Zhongde, Director of the China Atomic Energy Authority, said that China regards nuclear energy as an important option for building a new energy system and achieving the carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, and, relying on a complete nuclear industry innovation chain, industrial chain and talent chain, has become one of the pioneers and pathbreakers in SMR development and deployment...

2026-09-18

South Korea Strengthens Drone Control Around Nuclear Power Plants, Illegal Flights to Trigger Criminal Law

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) stated on September 14 that it will further strengthen its response to unauthorized drone flights within no-fly zones around nuclear power plants. It is understood that under the revised Aviation Safety Act, the penalty for unauthorized operation of ultralight flying devices (drones, etc.) within no-fly zones has been significantly raised from the previous "fine of up to 3 million won (administrative fine)" to "imprisonment of up to 1 year or a fine of up to 10 million won." According to statistics from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission of South Korea, from 2021 to August of last year, a total of 699 illegal drone incidents were detected near nuclear power plants across South Korea, of which 284 cases could not identify the operators...

2026-09-14

Canada and UK Nuclear Institutes Sign Reciprocal Membership Agreement to Strengthen Nuclear Professional Cooperation

On September 8, 2026, the Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS) and the UK's Nuclear Institute (NI) announced the signing of a cooperation agreement at the Canada-UK Nuclear Day, establishing a reciprocal membership mechanism and promoting closer collaboration between the two professional organizations. Under the agreement, members of either organization can join the other free of charge and enjoy corresponding membership benefits, including registering for conferences and events hosted by the other organization at member discount rates. The arrangement aims to facilitate skills exchange, knowledge sharing, and professional networking between nuclear professionals in Canada and the UK, while supporting the career development of members in both countries. CNS President Daniel Gammage stated that the Canadian Nuclear Society is...

2026-09-09

Europe and Central Asia Strengthen Regional Cooperation on Radioactive Waste Management

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently stated that over the past two years it has trained more than 200 experts in Europe and Central Asia, supporting relevant countries in enhancing their safe radioactive waste management capabilities and developing long-term management strategies tailored to their national circumstances. IAEA representatives visited storage and disposal facilities in Lithuania to observe successful radioactive waste management practices firsthand. (F. Dragolici/IAEA) Radioactive waste originates from the application of nuclear technology in energy, medicine, industry, research, and other fields. Under safety management requirements, countries are responsible for the full lifecycle of radioactive waste, covering generation, characterization, treatment, conditioning, storage, and final disposal in licensed disposal facilities.

2026-09-09

Thailand Advances SMR Regulatory Preparedness to Strengthen Energy Security

On September 8, 2026, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Yodchanan Wongsawat, chaired the second meeting of the Nuclear Energy for Peace Committee in 2026 at Government House. The meeting discussed Thailand's long-term nuclear energy strategy and preparatory work on the regulatory framework, talent development, and industrial supply chain for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The Thai government emphasized that these efforts constitute preliminary capacity building and do not imply a decision to construct nuclear power plants. The meeting approved an SMR regulatory policy framework, which draws on relevant standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)...

2026-09-09

Slovakia Proposes Strengthening Nuclear Energy Cooperation with Bulgaria

On September 7, Slovakia, as the rotating president of the Visegrad Group (V4), proposed enhanced cooperation to Bulgaria. The Visegrad Group comprises the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that Slovakia and Bulgaria have potential for strengthening bilateral cooperation, including in the nuclear energy sector. Slovakia also invited Bulgaria to participate in Visegrad Group cooperation mechanisms. According to Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár, the Visegrad Group held a foreign ministers' meeting with Japan this week...

2026-09-08

Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on Strengthening Multilateral Partnership for Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Security

The Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (hereinafter referred to as the SCO), bound by historical ties, centuries-old traditions of good-neighborliness and mutual respect, declare their commitment to the SCO Charter, the Charter of the United Nations and universally recognized principles and norms of international law, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs, guided by the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development, affirming that responsibility for nuclear security rests entirely with the State, noting that responsibility for nuclear safety rests with the operating organizations of nuclear facilities and the States in which nuclear facilities are located, attaching great importance to nuclear safety and nuclear security issues, which are important elements of international security directly affecting the lives of the peoples of the SCO Member States, and expressing deep concern over illicit trafficking of nuclear materials and...

2026-09-02