The 11th edition of the Nuclear Energy Conclave, an event managed by the India Energy Forum, took place in New Delhi on the 18th of October, 2019. The focus of this conclave was “Economics of Nuclear Power- Innovation towards Safer & Cost Effective Technologies”.
The Minister’s Key Highlights
The Minister of State for Atomic Energy presented a number of initiatives that the government has taken in regards to nuclear energy. Previously, atomic power plants were confined to Southern India. However, the government is now in the process of establishing nuclear plants in other areas of the country. A new nuclear plant is being constructed in Gorakhpur, Haryana.
In an effort to raise awareness and educate students and the general public about nuclear energy, a “Hall of Nuclear Energy” was inaugurated in Delhi. Additionally, the utilization of nuclear energy in diverse sectors, such as medicine, particularly in the area of cancer care, was highlighted.
An emphasis was also placed on Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR) and indigenous Light Water Reactors (LWRs). Both these technologies are crucial for the development of nuclear energy.
About Light-Water Reactors (LWRs)
Light-water reactors (LWRs), which are cooled and moderated with ordinary water, are categorized into two types: the Pressurized-Water Reactor (PWR) and the Boiling-Water Reactor (BWR). PWRs use highly pressurized water to dissipate heat from the core to achieve high temperatures and avoid boiling within the core. On the other hand, BWRs use water as a coolant and moderator, which boils in the core. The resultant steam is typically used to drive a turbine.
Impacts of NSG Waiver to India’s Nuclear Programme
India’s nuclear programme became less restricted after the waiver of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in 2008. This implies an accelerated growth of the Indian nuclear programme size, due to the availability of imported uranium, which can promote large scale thorium deployment.
The India Energy Forum
Since its establishment in October 2001, the forum has served as a representative organization for the total energy sector. It includes major public and private sector organizations in Power, Oil and Gas, Coal and Renewable Energy. Its members include NTPC, NHPC, Power Grid Corporation, Power Finance Corporation, ONGC, among others. The corporate office of the forum is situated in New Delhi.
India’s Nuclear Energy Programme – A Brief History
The Indian nuclear energy programme, launched around the time of India’s independence under the leadership of Homi J. Bhabha, was envisaged to provide safe and reliable electric power to fuel the country’s social and economic progress, and to make India self-reliant in all aspects of nuclear technology.
So far, exploration of atomic minerals has indicated that India has limited reserves of uranium but fairly abundant reserves of thorium. Consequently, a three stage strategy of nuclear power generation has been adopted:
| Stage | Type of Reactor | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) | This is a pressure tube type reactor using heavy water (D2O) moderator, heavy water coolant and natural uranium dioxide fuel. |
| 2 | Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) | India’s second stage of nuclear power generation uses the Pu-239 obtained from the first stage reactor operation, as the main fissile element of fuel core in fast breeder reactors (FBR). |
| 3 | Thorium based Reactor | Thorium utilization is the long term objective of the Indian Nuclear Power Programme. The third phase of India’s Nuclear Power Generation programme is breeder reactors based on Thorium- Uranium-233 cycle. |
Source of Information
The source of this information is Press Information Bureau (PIB).