Current status of HTGR research and development in JAEA

Sakaba, Nariaki 

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been developing High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor technology since 1960s. In December 2020, Japanese Government clearly stated "Green Growth Strategy Through Achieving Carbon Neutrality in 2050" that noted a commitment to the milestone and developing and implementing significant efforts in various sectors for achieving carbon neutrality around 2050. High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) is expected to play one of a dominant roles to reduce carbon generated from non-electric fields by utilizing heat and hydrogen produced by HTGR. To produce hydrogen from HTGR, it is necessary to establish a connecting technology including safety case between HTGR and hydrogen production process. The milestone for hydrogen production by HTTR (High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor) is given by the Green Growth Strategy. JAEA is now planning its R&D towards generation of hydrogen using heat from HTTR by 2030. This paper describes current status of HTGR R&D in JAEA.