HKIE Nuclear Division Technical Visit to Hefei’s Fusion and Advanced Technology Facilities (18 September 2025)

On 18 September 2025, our delegation embarked on an inspiring tour of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) and the construction site of the Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak (BEST) at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The day concluded with a lively knowledge-sharing session with the institute’s representatives, fostering a rich exchange of insights into the future of fusion energy.

 

Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST)

Our exploration began at EAST, operational since 2006 and a global leader in magnetic confinement fusion research. As the world’s first fully superconducting tokamak, it utilises niobium-titanium coils for toroidal and poloidal fields, enabling stable, long-pulse plasma operations under fusion-relevant conditions. With a major radius of 1.85 m, a minor radius of 0.45 m, and an aspect ratio of 4.11, EAST generates a 3.5 T toroidal magnetic field, supporting plasma currents up to 1 MA and temperatures exceeding 100 million °C. Its design flexibility—elongation from 1.6 to 2 and triangularity between 0.6 and 0.8—facilitates configurations like double-null divertors, optimising heat flux management.

 

Since its inception in 2006, EAST has charted extraordinary strides in fusion science. The facility shattered records with a 1066-second H-mode plasma pulse at over 100 million °C on 20 January 2025—nearly tripling prior durations. Building on its 2021 breakthrough of sustaining 120 million °C electron temperatures for 101 seconds, EAST advanced to a 403-second steady-state H-mode in 2023, showcasing refined plasma control. The 2025 milestone underlines superior confinement, with densities around 2.4 × 101? m?3 and elevated triple product (nτT), mirroring ITER's stringent benchmarks for viable fusion power.

 

Construction site of the Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak (BEST)

Next, we visited the BEST construction site, a bold initiative targeting 20–200 MW fusion output with a fusion energy gain factor (Q) of approximately 1 via a deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion. As fusion energy edges closer to reality, the BEST emerges as a pivotal advancement in magnetic confinement fusion. It's in the main assembly phase at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science in Anhui Province, China, bridging the EAST and the upcoming Chinese Fusion Engineering Demo Reactor (CFETR). This high magnetic field tokamak aims to demonstrate D-T burning plasma—where alpha particles self-heat the core, achieving Q > 1 which is the fusion power outstripping input.

 

BEST optimises for steady-state operations, targeting output up to 5 and 200 MW fusion power in a ~86 m3 plasma volume. The toroidal chamber boasts a 3.6 m major radius (R) and 1.1 m minor radius (a). This setup supports densities to 102? m?3 and temperatures over 100 million °C, aligning with D-T cross-sections peaking at ~15 keV. Toroidal fields reach 6.15 T via superconducting coils, boosting confinement through enhanced magnetic shear.

 

This visit underscored how EAST and BEST validate steady-state scenarios for future reactors like CFETR, tackling heat loads and impurity control. Their cutting-edge innovations fuel the global quest for net-positive fusion energy, leaving us motivated by the transformative potential unfolding in Hefei.

 

 

 

 

 

HKIE Nuclear Division Technical Visit to Hefei’s Fusion and Advanced Technology Facilities (19 September 2025)

 

On 19 September 2025, the delegation had the privilege of visiting the Institute of Advanced Technology at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei, Anhui, and ZeroG Aircraft Industry. The visit to the Institute of Advanced Technology at USTC showcases cutting-edge research innovation. In the visit, we learned how to turn the academic research results into commercial products for advanced technology application. The startups or innovation hubs play a key role for an effective ecosystem that integrates academic research into commercialization.

 

In addition, we visited the ZeroG Aircraft Industry exemplifies the flourishing low-altitude economy in China through its advancements in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology, demonstrating the commercial potential of urban air mobility. Together, these institutions highlight a robust model for advancing innovation.

 

Institute of Advanced Technology at USTC

The Institute of Advanced Technology at USTC is a cornerstone of Anhui and Hefei’s technological reforms, propelling USTC towards global research excellence. With 293 patents and international awards in quantum technology, the Institute has incubated 271 enterprises, including 60 national high-tech companies. Its 62 joint laboratories and national platforms, such as the Innovation Institute for Quantum Information and Technology and the National Engineering Lab for Brain Technology, drive advancements in electronic technology, advanced materials, manufacturing, and biomedicine. This research-to-industry ecosystem is a testament to the power of integrating academia with commercial innovation.

 

ZeroG Aircraft Industry

ZeroG is a trailblazer in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology, driving the commercialisation of urban air mobility with cutting-edge engineering. Their advancements in propeller systems, tilting mechanisms, and certification processes showcase the transformative potential of the low-altitude economy.

 

ZeroG’s propeller systems, developed in collaboration with leading aviation universities, prioritise low noise, high efficiency, and fault-tolerant distributed thrust. The development process is meticulous: from requirements analysis (payload, range, speed) and aerodynamic modelling via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to carbon fibre blade prototyping, ground testing, and flight validation. Their ZG-T6 model, featuring six-axis tilting propellers with triple-redundant actuators, ensures seamless transitions from vertical lift to forward cruise, setting a new standard for eVTOL performance.

 

The tilting system in the ZG-T6 is equally impressive, incorporating dual electric motors per nacelle for redundancy, ensuring operational continuity even if a motor fails. With tilt angles from 0° (hover) to 90° (cruise) and fly-by-wire controls, the system minimises passenger discomfort through inertial compensation. Safety is enhanced with ballistic parachutes and distributed electric propulsion (DEP). Testing in wind tunnels and real-time simulations confirms the system’s reliability, enhancing the range to 300 km at 250 km/h compared to fixed-rotor designs by optimising lift-to-drag ratios.

 

The synergy between ZeroG’s commercial eVTOL breakthroughs and USTC’s research-driven ecosystem offers a compelling model for innovation. By adopting a similar approach—leveraging Hong Kong’s strategic location, financial hub status, and talent pool—we can position the city as a global leader in the low-altitude economy. Let’s seize this opportunity to shape the future of urban mobility!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HKIE Nuclear Division Technical Visit to Hefei’s Fusion and Advanced Technology Facilities (20 September 2025)

On 20 September 2025, our delegation visited Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, recognised by Bloomberg NEF as the most bankable provider of PV inverters and energy storage systems, with an impressive 870 GW of power electronic converters installed worldwide and a service network spanning 520 outlets, offering profound insights into a company driving the transition to a sustainable future.

Sungrow’s diverse portfolio encompasses PV string, central, MLPE, and 1+X modular inverters tailored for residential, commercial, and utility applications, alongside energy storage converters, batteries, turnkey energy storage systems, AC/DC EV chargers integrated with the iEnergyCharge platform, and the iSolarCloud energy management system with intelligent gateways, as well as innovative solutions like floating PV, wind power converters, and green hydrogen equipment, including ALK, PEM, PWM power supplies, and intelligent hydrogen management systems, reflecting a holistic approach to global energy challenges.

Their sophisticated and stringent manufacturing process, built on a standardised, scalable platform, ensures consistent quality, rapid assembly, rigorous testing, and seamless field service, with a high-volume capacity of up to 50 GW annually at key facilities, guaranteeing reliability and efficiency that sets an industry benchmark.

Sungrow’s R&D strength, with 40% of its workforce dedicated to research and an in-house test centre accredited by SGS, CSA, and TUV Rheinland, underscores their commitment to excellence, further evidenced by their leadership in national standards and participation in over 20 major science and technology programmes, with milestones like the first 35 kV SST-based PV inverter in 2022 and ongoing advancements in PV, storage, EV charging, and hydrogen technologies.

Founded in 1997 by Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow’s corporate journey includes global expansion in 2006, a Shenzhen listing in 2011, achieving the top global market share by 2015, establishing international manufacturing in India in 2018, committing to RE100 for 100% renewable electricity by 2028, and surpassing a 100 billion CNY brand value in 2024, all driven by their mission of “Clean power for all” and pledge to “Bridge to a sustainable future.”

Their global support infrastructure and focus on maintainability ensure minimal downtime and exceptional after-sales service, enhancing operational efficiency and customer trust.

Reflecting on the visit, Sungrow’s blend of innovation, precision, and purpose is truly inspiring, as their sophisticated manufacturing and strict quality standards deliver cutting-edge yet reliable products, positioning them as a leader in the renewable energy transition, while their RE100 commitment and extensive service network highlight a deep dedication to sustainability, demonstrating how technology, discipline, and vision can converge to create meaningful impact and instil confidence in a cleaner, more sustainable world.