The generator stator has been successfully hoisted into place at the ACP100 small modular reactor (SMR) demonstration project located at the Changjiang nuclear site in Hainan province, China, the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced.
Major Component Installed at Chinese SMR Project
The generator stator – a critical part of the ACP100 reactor’s steam turbine generator – was placed on the generator base on 14 September. The stator, which is over 6 meters long and weighs more than 130 tonnes, is part of a complex system that converts thermal energy into electrical energy. This key component, along with the rotor, cooler, and two bearing boxes, forms the heart of the power plant’s electricity generation system.
CNNC noted that the hoisting of the stator was particularly challenging due to the limited space at the site. The operation required the stator to be lifted by two cranes and maneuvered through a maintenance hoisting hole before being positioned with high precision onto the steam turbine platform.
The successful installation marks a significant step in the construction of the power plant, with CNNC stating, “The successful lifting and installation of the generator stator has laid a solid foundation for the subsequent installation of the steam turbine generator unit.”
Advances in China’s SMR Development
The ACP100, also known as Linglong One, is part of CNNC’s push toward developing small modular reactor technology. The Changjiang site, already home to two operating CNP600 pressurized water reactors (PWRs), is also seeing the construction of two Hualong One reactors, which are expected to be commercially operational by the end of 2026.
Construction on the ACP100 began in July 2021, with the first concrete poured for the reactor. The installation of equipment started in December 2022, and the reactor building’s main internal structure was completed in March 2023. In February of this year, the outer containment dome was installed.
The ACP100 has been in development since 2010, with its preliminary design completed in 2014. In 2016, it became the first small modular reactor to pass a safety review conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Future Prospects for the ACP100 Reactor
Once fully operational, the 125 MWe ACP100 reactor will produce up to 1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This output will be sufficient to meet the energy needs of around 526,000 households. In addition to electricity generation, the reactor is designed for various applications such as heating, steam production, and seawater desalination, making it a versatile solution for diverse energy needs.
The installation of the generator stator represents a crucial step forward in the project, signaling that China’s ambitions in SMR technology are well underway.