This Friday, at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the 4th China Nuclear Energy High-Quality Development Conference and the Shenzhen International Nuclear Industry Innovation Expo wrapped up with more than 600 global enterprises and research institutions taking part. Together, they painted a vivid picture of nuclear energy evolving beyond power generation to become a pillar of low-carbon civilian life. 🔋🌱
From powering cities to heating homes
The expo challenged the idea that nuclear energy is just about electricity. Attendees agreed that China’s nuclear sector is at a historic turning point, shifting from single-function power plants to a diverse ecosystem serving everyday needs.
Nuclear heating beats winter smog ❄️🔥
In northern China, coal-fired heating has long darkened skies with smog. Now, reactor waste heat is reused for district heating, cutting emissions and easing natural gas shortages when demand spikes.
'For the 2024-2025 heating season, the total heating area of Nuanhe-1 increased by approximately 500,000 square meters,' said Wang Linhui, deputy section chief at Shandong Nuclear Power. Developed by SPIC Shandong Nuclear Power, Nuanhe-1 is China’s first commercial nuclear heating project. It has already warmed 400,000 households in Haiyang and Rushan over six seasons. By 2026, it could bring clean heat to Qingdao as part of the national clean heating plan rolled out in 2021.
Green hydrogen: fuel of the future 🤖🚗
Another star of the expo: nuclear hydrogen. High-temperature reactors (700–950 °C) can drive thermochemical processes to produce green hydrogen more efficiently than electric electrolysis. This could revolutionize transport and industry by replacing fossil fuels.
By August 18, 2025, the Tianwan Nuclear Power hydrogen project hit a milestone of 30,000 m³ of hydrogen output. Using PEM electrolysis with 90 percent efficiency and 99.999 percent purity, it shows how nuclear energy can power a carbon-neutral future.
With nuclear heating and hydrogen breakthroughs, China’s nuclear ecosystem is stepping into daily life, offering cleaner, smarter solutions. The low-carbon revolution is just getting started! 🚀
Reference(s):
Beyond power generation: Nuclear ecosystem unlocks new civilian uses
cgtn.com
