为治理城市的燃煤污染和降低二氧化碳的排放量，我国需要开发大型清洁能源。核能是可供选择的清洁能源之一，核能不仅可以用于发电，而且可以替代燃煤为城市供热。在我国现在池式研究堆技术的基础上，设计出的常压供热反应堆，可以满足城市供热的需要，具有高度的安全性和可靠性，是一种技术现实和经济可行的解决方案。在我国发展城市集中供热的条件下，采用这种大型热源，将会以较大的规模来改善大气环境和降低温室气体的排放。

The substitution of a large-scale clean energy for burning coal is needed in China because of serious pollution in cities and CO₂ emission. Nuclear energy is an option of the clean energy, it can not only be used for generating electricity but also for urban district heating in stead of coal. A non-pressurized heating reactor has been designed based on experience of pool type research reactors of China. It can supply heat for urban district heating system and has a high level of safety and reliability. This is a realizable and economical solution for clean energy supply. Since the district heating systems are plentifully developed in cities of China, the heating sources which can be used in the systems will be able to improve air-environment and decrease greenhouse gas emission in a large-scale.