On October 17, the Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy of Tsinghua University, also known as the 3E Institute, hosted a workshop on “Potential roles of SMRs in decarbonizing China’s power and heating sectors”. This workshop is sponsored by the China Carbon Neutrality Initiative (CCNI) under one of its research projects (hereinafter referred to as the CCNI SMR Project). As the CCNI General Project Leader and also the 3E Institute Director, Prof. Zhang Xiliang chaired the whole event. The workshop brought together the Project Expert Committee (PEC) members of CCNI SMR Project, leading experts in the field, and dedicated members of the working team.
Mr. Gao Hu, Director of the Energy Strategy Center of the Energy Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission, delivered a keynote speech on the low-carbon transition path of China's energy system. Mr. Zhou Sheng, a Research Associate Professor of Tsinghua University, presented the research progress and initial results of the CCNI SMR project. So far, the project has developed an evaluation indicator system for retrofitting coal-fired power and heating units with SMRs. Based on this, the team has analyzed the total retrofit potential, and conducted preliminary techno-economic analysis of selected pilot projects. The preliminary findings suggest that using SMRs to retrofit coal-fired power and heating units still have some significant technical and economic challenges. Representatives from academic institutions and enterprises shared their researches and practices in this area.
The PEC appreciated Tsinghua’s efforts to explore the feasibility of retrofitting China’s coal units with nuclear technology by taking an approach that combines macro-level analysis and case studies. The Committee also had in-depth discussions on the economics and public acceptance of this decarbonization option, and put forward suggestions on research priorities for the subsequent phase of the project.
The PEC plays as an advisory body for the CCNI SMR project. It consists of a group of renowned experts, including Mr. Shi Lishan, former Deputy Director-General of the New Energy and Renewable Energy Department and the Nuclear Power Department of the National Energy Administration, Mr. Zhou Dadi, former Director-General of the Energy Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission, Mr. Zhao Yong, Director of the Energy Research Institute of China Huaneng Group, and Mr. Liu Baoting, General Manager of the Clean Energy Technology Company of the China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group.