Current status and trends of nuclear energy under carbon neutrality conditions in China

Under the requirement of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality”, its urgent for China's energy system to develop in direction of low-carbon. Renewable energy and nuclear energy exhibit excellent carbon reduction potential. However, renewable energy is easily influenced by season, climate, and geographical location, resulting in low energy utilization rate. As a zero carbon emission energy source, nuclear energy provides full load power at entire time period and has the ability to undertake the base load power source. Moreover, advanced fourth generation nuclear power technology will create conditions for low-carbon comprehensive utilization of nuclear power plants, further enhancing the sustainability of nuclear energy. Furthermore, nuclear energy coupled with renewable energy can support large-scale consumption of renewable energy by power grid, ensuring the safety operation of the power system. This work analyzes the development potential of multi-dimensional utilization of nuclear energy, such as nuclear power generation, nuclear heating, nuclear hydrogen production, seawater desalination, and nuclear isotope production. Meanwhile, the paper discusses the position of nuclear energy in composite energy system, points out the development path of nuclear energy in future. The development routes and further research challenges are proposed.