China unveils upgraded digital control system for nuclear reactors

The China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) on Thursday released an upgraded version of its digital control system for nuclear reactors, known as FirmSys, at the International Nuclear Energy Industry Innovation Expo held in Shenzhen City of south China's Guangdong Province.

FirmSys, China's first independently developed nuclear-grade digital control system, is now used by over two dozen nuclear power plants across the country to ensure safety throughout the controlling and monitoring operations.

The upgraded FirmSys has integrated new technologies including AI, digital twins of reactor parts, and virtual simulations, providing intelligent support for operators in fault detection, early warning, and decision making.

"The new-generation nuclear-safety-grade digital control system is like a super intelligent brain for a nuclear power plant, and it is 100 percent homegrown. Both its hardware and software, including chips, the operating system, embedded software, and communication software, are completely developed by us, realizing domestic manufacturing of such 'digital brains'," said Sun Yongbin, chairman of CGN's Digital Technology Company.

The 4th China Nuclear Energy High-Quality Development Conference and Shenzhen International Nuclear Energy Expo is taking place at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center from Wednesday to Friday, gathering experts and representatives from around the world to exchange insights on topics such as AI-driven nuclear power operation optimization, advanced nuclear energy technology research and development, and global nuclear energy cooperation.

China currently operates 58 nuclear reactors and is building 44 more, totaling 102 facilities. At this pace, it will surpass all other nations to become the world's top nuclear power operator by 2030, representing a combined potential generating capacity of approximately 113 gigawatts.

The country's nuclear power output reached 450 billion kWh in 2024, cutting 140 million tonnes of standard coal use and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 370 million tonnes, according to the National Energy Administration (NEA).

China unveils upgraded digital control system for nuclear reactors

The operational efficiency of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in south China's Guangdong Province has greatly improved following the launch of a new terminal and a new runway one month ago.

The airport officially put into operation its Terminal 3 and fifth runway on October 30, making it China's first civil airport to operate five commercial runways.

Terminal 3 features a range of self-service facilities, including check-in kiosks, automated baggage drop systems, and smart security screening equipment, which have greatly streamlined passenger processing.

Since its opening, five airlines have shifted their domestic operations to Terminal 3, which now handles an average of 158 flights and about 26,000 passengers daily.

"Compared with Terminal 1, both the number of staffed counters and self-service kiosks of Terminal 3 have increased significantly, greatly reducing the average check-in time for passengers. For domestic direct flights, the entire check-in process can be completed in a minimum of one minute," said Shi Mengyao, a staffer with the ground service department of the Guangdong branch of China Eastern Airlines.

Beyond efficiency improvements, the terminal also includes an observation deck that offers travelers panoramic views of the airfield.

"Since its opening, the observation deck attracts over 3,000 visitors per day on average, with total visits exceeding 100,000 to date," said Luo Li, deputy general manager of a terminal management company at Baiyun International Airport.

The airport's expansion also marks another step toward building a world-class airport cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

"The airport's expansion not only consolidates the Greater Bay Area as an aviation hub connecting China with the world, but also helps lower logistics costs within the area, promote the free flow and efficient allocation of economic resources, and enhances the area's capacity for global resource allocation," said Li Jing, chief planner with the Guangdong Provincial Department of Transport.

New terminal, runway boost operational efficiency of airport in Guangzhou