China is testing a prototype nuclear reactor that can be carried on a truck and generate up to 10 megawatts of energy, enough to power a medium-sized AI data centre, a leading scientist said. The reactor, in development for several years, is described as the “world’s first 10-megawatt vehicle-mounted nuclear power unit”.
Wu Yican, chief scientific adviser to the Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology at the Hefei Institute of Physical Science and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told Science and Technology Daily last week that the “nuclear power bank” proposed by his team exemplifies the new generation of nuclear energy systems.
“This technology offers exceptional safety in a remarkably compact size and an operational lifespan of decades without recharging,” Wu said. It provides a solution to “battery anxiety” in various applications, including powering remote regions and islands, emergency backup in special environments, propelling ships, space systems, and AI computing and data centres.
Wu noted that the development of next-generation nuclear systems is in full swing and should be “built on the principle of ensuring nuclear safety at the source.” The team is now seeking opportunities to deploy the prototype, which has been under development for several years.
