The problem of energy consumption in the modern world is very acute. The non-renewability of resources, which are traditionally used to provide the population with electricity, makes governments in many countries think about alternative energy sources. However, the insufficient level of technological development, various climatic and geographical conditions make it possible to use the energy of sunlight, water and wind far from all regions. That is why, even after several serious accidents and increased public distrust of the “peaceful atom”, nuclear energy still remains one of the most promising areas of development.
Atomic Energy of the People's Republic of China
China's nuclear energy in a peaceful environment is currently represented by thirty-six reactors located at fourteen nuclear power plants. It is planned to build another thirty-one energy blocks , twelve of which are already at the implementation stage of the project.
Most nuclear power plants (including the Tianwan NPP, which is one of the most reliable and safe) are located on the coast. Such localization allows the use of sea water for direct cooling. All suitable sites near the sources of seawater have already been planned for the further construction of new power units.
In general, the active development of China's nuclear energy industry is aimed at improving the environmental situation in the state. The booming economy was previously provided by coal-fired power plants, which emit much more harmful substances into the atmosphere than a normally functioning nuclear power plant. As a result, the air in cities is polluted, and in general the environmental situation leaves much to be desired.
Cooperation between China and the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear energy
Most reactors in the territory of the People’s Republic of China are not built without the participation of the Russian Federation. The construction of the Tianwan NPP was no exception (the power plant, by the way, is the largest object of Russian-Chinese cooperation). Assistance is carried out at the stages of drafting energy facilities, the actual construction of power units, the supply of building materials, equipment, staff construction and training of Chinese workers. Rosatom’s order portfolio is filled with projects of Chinese partners, China, in turn, is also strengthening its presence in the Russian market: Eastern partners are shareholders of Yamal LNG and Sibur.
Location of a nuclear power plant
Tianwan NPP (China) is located near the city of the same name on the shores of the Yellow Sea. Locals call the village, thirty kilometers from Lianyungang, a small fishing village, in fact, the population of the urban district is slightly less than five million people. Moreover, the Lianyungang area is only seven and a half square kilometers.
The photo above shows the location of the Tianwan NPP on a map of China.
Project implementation timeline
The construction of a nuclear power plant near the “fishing village” Lianyungang began (in terms of cooperation) in 1992. Then, between the Atomstroyexport engineering company, which is the contractor, the governments of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation, a cooperation agreement was signed. The agreement involved the development of the Tianwan NPP project, the supply of necessary equipment and materials, installation work, the commissioning of a nuclear power plant and the training of personnel subsequently employed at the power plant.
In fact, the launch of the first power unit of the Tianwan power plant took place in 2005. A year later, a new facility, the Tianwan NPP, was included in the National Electric Network of China. The history of the project was only just beginning. The first two units of the nuclear power plant were commissioned in 2007. The facility was under warranty for the next two years.
In 2010, the Chinese energy corporation entered into another agreement with the Russian Atomstroyexport. This time the contract stipulated the conditions for the construction of the third and fourth power units. Project development was completed in 2012 for the third and in 2013 for the fourth energy blocks, it was marked by the solemn beginning of foundation concreting. It is expected that the third and fourth units of the Tianwan NPP will be commissioned in 2018.
Organizations involved in the construction of the power plant
The construction of a nuclear power plant was not only the engineering company Atomstroyexport. The following companies and organizations took part in the implementation of the project of the first stage power units at the Tianwan NPP:
- the scientific management was carried out by the Kurchatov Institute;
- the reactor installation was developed at the Hydropress experimental design bureau;
- NPP commissioning was controlled by the general contractor, Atomtehenergo;
- The general designer was St. Petersburg Atomenergoproekt;
- The main equipment was manufactured at Izhora Plants;
- steam generators were supplied by the ZiO-Podolsk engineering plant;
- An automated control system for a nuclear power plant was acquired from the German concern Siemens.
In total, about 150 companies and organizations were involved in the development and implementation of the project, in addition, a number of equipment was manufactured by Chinese enterprises.
Commissioning of a nuclear power plant
The successful implementation of the project and the timely commissioning of first-order power units became a landmark event for both Chinese nuclear energy and Russian contractors and developers. The preliminary commissioning protocol was signed by the head of Atomstroyexport from the Russian side and the director of JNPC (Jiangsu Nuclear Energy Corporation) from China. The status of the operating Tianwan NPP (photo below) was received on August 16, 2007.
Important feature
During the construction of the nuclear power plant, the most modern solutions were used at that time. An important issue for organizations and companies involved in the development of the project was to ensure the reliability of the Tianwan NPP. Today, the energy facility is one of the safest nuclear power plants in the world.
This result was achieved thanks to a unique solution, which is an important feature of the nuclear power plant project. The fact is that during the construction of the station several so-called traps were laid. Cone-shaped compartments are designed to hold the core. Thus, in case of a possible accident, molten structural elements of the structure will fill traps, which will prevent the destruction of the building as a whole.
Further plans for cooperation between China and the Russian Federation
Successful completion of the project guaranteed Russian contractors continued international cooperation. Both sides were satisfied with the commissioning of the joint facility in 2007. A new agreement stipulating the terms of project development, construction and commissioning of second-order power units (second and third) was signed almost immediately after the warranty period for the maintenance of the Tianwan NPP.
Joint construction of the remaining energy blocks of a nuclear power plant in China is planned. In total, it is planned to commission eight power units of the Tianwan NPP, but the timing of the project is still unknown. The negotiations also discussed possible cooperation in the construction of another power plant. The new facility is planned to be built in the city of Harbin, in the northeast of China.
Nuclear power plants that are being built on a similar project
Many states are interested in designing safe nuclear power plants. At the moment, the construction of additional trap compartments is an innovative solution, but at the same time quite difficult in the development of the project and the construction of the energy facility.
Five nuclear power plants are currently under construction under the NPP-2006 project (an improved NPP-91, on which the Tianwan NPP was built), which provides high safety and reliability indicators. Three of them are located in the Russian Federation:
- Baltic NPP in the Kaliningrad region;
- Leningrad NPP-2 in the city of Sosnovy Bor, 68 km from St. Petersburg;
- Novovoronezh NPP-2 in the Voronezh region.
The two remaining stations for safety standards of NPP-2006 are being built in Belarus (Grodno region) and India. The last nuclear power plant is not fully consistent with the design.
In the near future it is planned to build another five nuclear power plants:
- in Russia - Seversk NPP in the Tomsk Region, Kursk NPP-2, Nizhny Novgorod NPP;
- Abroad - nuclear power plants in Turkey and Bangladesh.
New generation nuclear power plants will minimize the consequences of possible accidents. It is especially pleasing that the Russian Federation was engaged in the development and implementation of the safest nuclear power plant project in the world.