The Atomic Energy Agency of Japan plans to trial a new nuclear reactor design engineered to automatically shut down if power is lost. This development was reported by Yomiuri.
As described by the publication, the high temperature gas-cooled reactor will be tested at the end of March and is expected to reach full capacity during the test. Inside the core, temperatures could approach 1000 degrees Celsius.
The reactor uses helium as a cooling medium. This gas is anticipated to passively carry away heat after a power outage, allowing the facility’s temperature to fall safely. Yomiuri notes that the test will be conducted under strict controls, and researchers will have the ability to halt the experiment immediately if a safety concern arises.
Earlier, the Financial Times cited a forecast from the International Energy Agency. The IEA projects that global nuclear energy production will grow at roughly 3% annually in the coming years, climbing above pre-pandemic levels. The agency anticipates a historical high in nuclear output, reaching about 2,915 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2024, surpassing the 2020 record of 2,809 TWh.
There have been notable gains in nuclear energy production in several regions, including a strong performance in the United Kingdom where output has reached new highs as capacity expands and efficiency improves. Industry observers emphasize that ongoing investments and safety-focused innovations are driving this rebound in the nuclear sector.