World's smallest nuclear power plant: China is developing a reactor so tiny that it can fit in a shipping container

  • It could provide enough energy to power 50,000 households
  • The power plant could be installed on an island in the South China Sea
  • The reactor could run for decades without needing to be refueled 

By Libby Plummer For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

China is developing the world's smallest nuclear power station, which could go into operation within five years, according to new reports. 

The tiny power plant would fit inside a shipping container and could generate 10 megawatts of heat - enough to power 50,000 households.

The mini reactor could be placed on an island in the disputed South China Sea.

A model of the mini reactor, which could eventually be used to generate 10 megawatts of heat - enough to power 50,000 households

A model of the mini reactor, which could eventually be used to generate 10 megawatts of heat - enough to power 50,000 households

THE MINI POWER PLANT 

- Known as hedianbao, or 'portable nuclear battery pack'

- Generates 10 megawatts of heat, enough to power 50,000 households

- Measures around just 20 feet (6.1 metres) by 8.5 feet (2.6 metres)

- Would enable the desalination of large amounts of seawater for use as freshwater

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Known as hedianbao, or 'portable nuclear battery pack', the tiny power plant would measure just 20 feet (6.1 metres) by 8.5 feet (2.6 metres), reports Stephen Chen for the South China Morning Post.

The lead-cooled reactor could potentially run for years or even decades before needing to be refueled. 

The research is being carried out by the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology and is being partly funded by the People's Liberation Army.

'Part of our funding came from the military, but we hope – and it's our ultimate goal – that the technology will eventually benefit civilian users,' Professor Huang Qunying, a nuclear scientist ­involved in the research, told the South China Morning Post. 

The miniature power plant would enable the researchers to desalinate large amounts of seawater for use as freshwater. 

However, there any concerns that any incidents at the plant causing leakage of radioactive material could be catastrophic.

Not only would the surrounding countries be affected, the area's strong currents would spread any contamination further afield. 

An image showing Mischief Reef in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea. The mini reactor could be placed on an island in the disputed region

An image showing Mischief Reef in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea. The mini reactor could be placed on an island in the disputed region

Experts have also expressed concern that any rise in the surrounding sea temperature potentially resulting from the power plant's placement, could dramatically affect the local marine life. 

Researchers believe that that the 'fast reactor' - one that uses fast neutrons to split fuel atoms - offers safety benefits over other types of reactor

However, Professor Huang Qunying believes that convincing the public of the plant's safety will still be a challenge, reports the South China Morning Post.

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