China's Groundbreaking Fusion-Fission Hybrid Reactor running by 2030

China is building the world’s first fusion-fission hybrid power plant, the Xinghuo reactor, aiming to generate 100 megawatts of electricity by the decade’s end. This $2.76 billion project combines fusion’s energy output with fission’s efficiency, potentially reducing nuclear waste. Located in Jiangxi province, the reactor seeks to achieve a groundbreaking energy gain factor (Q value) of over 30, outpacing global efforts. If successful, Xinghuo could revolutionize energy production and position China as a leader in advanced nuclear technology.

China is taking a bold step in the global energy race with plans to construct the world's first fusion-fission hybrid power plant. The ambitious project, named Xinghuo, aims to generate 100 megawatts of continuous electricity and connect to the national grid by the end of this decade. With an estimated budget of 20 billion yuan (approximately $2.76 billion USD), this pioneering venture is poised to redefine energy production by blending two powerful nuclear processes.

The Xinghuo reactor—meaning "spark," inspired by a famous Mao Zedong quote—is a joint initiative between the China Nuclear Industry 23 Construction Corporation and Lianovation Superconductor, a company spun off from Lianovation Optoelectronics in Jiangxi province. Jiangxi's abundant copper resources, a key material for superconducting technologies, make it a fitting location for the project. The plant will be constructed on Yaohu Science Island, located in Nanchang's high-tech zone in central China.

Fusion, the process that powers the sun, involves fusing light atomic nuclei like hydrogen to release vast amounts of energy. Fission, on the other hand, splits heavy atomic nuclei such as uranium to produce power, as seen in conventional nuclear power plants. The hybrid model proposed by Xinghuo combines these two methods. High-energy neutrons from fusion reactions will trigger fission in surrounding materials, amplifying energy output while potentially reducing long-lived nuclear waste.

The Xinghuo reactor stands out with its goal of achieving an energy gain factor—or Q value—of over 30. The Q value measures the ratio of energy output to the power required to heat plasma in a fusion reaction. For comparison, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France is targeting a Q value above 10, while the U.S. National Ignition Facility achieved a Q value of 1.5 in 2022.

If successful, Xinghuo's hybrid design would not only surpass these benchmarks but also mark the first real-world application of fusion-fission technology. This achievement could place China years, if not decades, ahead of other nations' efforts to harness sustainable nuclear energy.

The first phase of the project is already underway, with a public tender issued for an environmental impact assessment. This evaluation will cover baseline studies, ecological impacts, pollution control measures, and risk analyses. The assessment is expected to conclude by the end of the year, aligning with Jiangxi province's 2021 science and technology development plan, which set a goal for demonstrating the Yaohu fusion-fission project by the decade's end.

In 2023, Lianovation Superconductor announced its aim to complete a 100-megawatt hybrid facility within five to six years. If achieved, the Xinghuo reactor could signal a transformative shift in energy production, paving the way for future projects such as the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor, a large-scale fusion-only initiative planned for the 2030s in Hefei, Anhui province.

The Xinghuo project represents a milestone in the pursuit of clean, efficient, and sustainable energy. By combining the strengths of fusion and fission, China is not only addressing the limitations of current nuclear technologies but also setting the stage for global advancements in energy science. As the project progresses, it will undoubtedly capture the attention of researchers, policymakers, and energy stakeholders worldwide.

Source: Adapted from a report by scmp and related publications.