On April 24, 2019 (March 20, 2019 in the lunar calendar), the world's first floating nuclear power plant "Academician Lomonosov" was launched. Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation announced on April 24, 2019 that it had completed testing of the world's first floating nuclear power plant, Academician Lomonosov. As the world's first floating nuclear power plant, Academician Lomonosov consists of a 144-meter-long and 30-meter-wide barge carrying two 35-megawatt nuclear reactors. Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation has conducted an overall test of the floating nuclear power plant to ensure that the process parameters of the nuclear power plant are "fully up to standard and can be put into operation." It is expected that in July this year, the "Academician Lomonosov" floating nuclear power plant will obtain an operating license. (Source: Sputnik)? The nuclear reactor of this floating nuclear power plant, officially code-named KLT-40S, is enhanced and improved on the basis of the nuclear reactor of the USS Tamil nuclear-powered icebreaker and can provide 70 MW of electricity and 300 MW of heat. What is a floating nuclear power plant? Many people may be full of doubts about this. What is the use of this thing? Simply understand, floating nuclear power plants are equivalent to large mobile charging treasure. They generate electricity through nuclear reactors and move at any time at sea. They can provide energy support for ships, islands and reefs and even cities. The "Academician Lomonosov" floating nuclear power plant can provide energy to 200,000 people. Cities provide enough electricity. A sectional view of a conceptual floating nuclear power plant in China (Source: China Nuclear Industry Corporation) Mobility is its greatest advantage. There is no need to consider the various impacts of building a nuclear power plant on land. It can be moved to sparsely populated areas according to specific conditions and can be used to supply power to marginal areas without establishing a large-scale power grid system. It can also be used for desalination in energy-intensive areas such as the Middle East. The desalination equipment of the Academician Lomonosov can provide residents with 240,000 cubic meters of fresh water per day. (Source: courtesyofRosatom)? Another advantage is that it is cheap and durable. The cost of offshore nuclear power generation is cheaper than land-based diesel power generation. Although the one-time cost of floating nuclear power plants is higher, it can be used for 40 to 50 years. Overall, it is still very cheap. The "Academician Lomonosov" cost 480 million US dollars, and its normal life can reach 40 years. Russia's strategic purpose of developing floating nuclear power plants Russia has actually been developing floating nuclear power plants since the beginning of this century. Its main purpose is to provide support for the Arctic strategy. The Arctic Circle is now one of the places where global attention is gathered. As the climate warms, countries near the Arctic Circle are focusing on Arctic resources. A few days ago, Pompeo even denied that China has no right to participate in Arctic affairs.? (Source: Wikimedia Commons) Russia is on the edge of the Arctic, and the development of Arctic resources is naturally put on Russia's agenda. In 2014, Putin announced the establishment of the Russian Arctic Strategic Command and began to vigorously support the Northern Fleet. Last year, he even planned to restart some Arctic bases during the Soviet era. Developing resources in the harsh environment of the Arctic must have strong logistical support. Only by solving energy and material supply problems can we gain a foothold in the Arctic. In particular, the United States is also eyeing the Arctic. Floating nuclear power plants have a very important strategic position in military and resource exploitation. Once the Arctic route is opened, it will inevitably replace the traditional shipping lanes of Eurasia, and the global shipping pattern, geopolitical and economic patterns will also change accordingly. It is not difficult to see the importance of the Arctic strategy. Floating nuclear power plants are a good thing, and my country is currently vigorously developing them. According to the plan, my country will build the first offshore floating nuclear power plant in 2021. By then, it will be built on islands and reefs in the South China Sea, offshore oil and gas development, energy replenishment for sailing ships... and many other fields play a role.