The first Hualong One nuclear power unit in south China's Hainan Province -- Unit 3 of the Phase II Changjiang Nuclear Power Plant -- was connected to the grid on Saturday, officially generating the first kilowatt-hour of electricity.
Developed by China Huaneng Group, the project's power generation marks a major step forward in acquiring the ability to put the unit of third generation nuclear reactor technology into operation.
Next, the unit will carry out efficiency increase and a series of performance tests as planned.
"The project plans to build two 1.2-million-kilowatt nuclear power units, expected to generate 18 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually once completed. This will save some 6.3 million tons of standard coal a year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 11.6 million tons, effectively ensuring energy security and helping achieve China's dual carbon goals," said He Qingwei, a senior operator of Phase II Changjiang Nuclear Power Plant.
China has set the dual carbon goals of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.
Hainan's 1st Hualong One nuclear power unit connected to grid
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Tesla's certification that its new Cybercab meets all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
The probe, formally designated as an Audit Query, was opened on Sept. 3 and covers an estimated 1,000 Cybercab vehicles, according to an NHTSA investigation document made public on Friday. It will examine the process and technical data Tesla relied upon when certifying the Cybercab, as well as related issues. Tesla began commercial deployment of a small number of Cybercab vehicles in Austin, Texas, on Thursday and notified the agency that it had certified the vehicles as compliant with all applicable FMVSS. Tesla also told the NHTSA that it plans to gradually expand commercial deployment of the Cybercab to include additional vehicles and locations.
The vehicles lack permanently attached conventional manual controls, such as a brake pedal, gas pedal, steering wheel and mirrors, according to the NHTSA.
The agency said the inquiry will examine, among other issues, the extent to which Tesla's certification depended on determinations that certain FMVSS are inapplicable to the Cybercab.
In the United States, the NHTSA establishes vehicle performance requirements, while automakers must certify that their vehicles meet applicable standards before entering the U.S. market, subject to agency oversight to confirm compliance. The NHTSA said it conducts investigations when certified vehicles appear not to adhere to those requirements.
U.S. regulator opens probe into Tesla Cybercab self-certification
