In the face of the urgent challenge of climate change, the adoption of sustainable and efficient energy sources takes on immense significance. This editorial analysis delves into India’s potential in driving nuclear energy production and highlights the need for a diversified energy portfolio beyond reliance solely on renewable sources such as hydro and wind power.
The Implications Of India’s Economic Expansion On Energy Consumption
- India’s economy is on a rapid growth trajectory.
- Predictions suggest India will overtake Germany and Japan, moving from the fifth to the third position before this decade concludes.
- Such economic expansion results in increased energy requirements.
- India’s energy consumption, already the third highest worldwide, is expected to significantly grow.
- Currently, this consumption is primarily driven by fossil fuels.
The Challenge Of Balancing India’s Development Goals With The Global Net-Zero Emission Target
- Fossil fuels are major contributors to global warming, a severe crisis for humans.
- The necessity is now urgent for substantial emission reductions, culminating in a net-zero state.
- Achieving net zero requires a transformation of energy systems, including new technologies, energy system restructuring, and significant costs.
- For India, as a large, developing country, the net zero challenge is even greater.
- India’s development goals demand a significant increase in energy use per capita while transitioning to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
- Failure to meet this dual challenge could lead to either compromising on development, or not achieving the net-zero target in time, or both.
- For India to be truly developed, it needs substantial per capita energy consumption annually.
- Even accounting for energy efficiency, it is estimated that the total clean energy needed for a developed India is four times higher than current energy consumption levels.
Role Of Nuclear Energy In India’s Path To Development
- India cannot become an advanced country by only relying on renewable energy like hydro.
- Even if all unusable land in India is used for solar power plants, the energy target still won’t be met. Wind energy has even less potential.
- The solution lies in expanding nuclear energy dramatically.
- There is a need to overcome the unfounded fear surrounding nuclear energy.
- Nuclear energy is now considered one of the safest and cleanest energy sources and is essential in fighting climate change.
- With India’s closed nuclear fuel cycle strategy, nuclear waste is negligible.
- Without nuclear energy, India cannot achieve the status of a developed nation.
Six-pronged Strategy To Expand Nuclear Energy
India should follow a six-pronged national strategy for a rapid increase in nuclear energy.
Strategy 1
- The Indigenous 700 MWe PHWR is already functioning commercially as the first unit.
- It should be the main resource for adding to the base load electricity capacity.
- Fifteen more units like this are currently under construction in a fleet mode.
- The implementation of many such fleets should be taken up by India, leveraging multiple PSUs in addition to NPCIL.
Strategy 2
- India needs to focus on constructing homegrown Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) at multiple sites, which will soon be available due to the phasing out of coal plants in the future.
- Past experiences with large Pressurised Water Reactors (PWRs) demonstrated that importing these units leads to costly electricity production.
- The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), owning the majority of coal plants, would be an ideal partner in this initiative.
- The involvement of more industrial partners should be considered.
Strategy 3
- Furthermore, established 220 MWe PHWR units can be provided as partially owned captive units, supplying electricity and hydrogen to energy-intensive industries like metals, chemicals, and fertilisers.
- Another option for this purpose is the AHWR300-LEU developed by BARC, which can be offered once a prototype has been successfully demonstrated.
Strategy 4
- India should consider the creation of a high-temperature reactor.
- The goal of this reactor is direct hydrogen production, avoiding the need for electrolysis.
- This strategy could lead to more affordable green hydrogen production.
- It would also decrease the necessity for excessive energy system electrification in the country.
- It’s worth noting that the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has the necessary capabilities for this task.
Strategy 5
- India should:
- Advance the second and third stages of the nuclear-power programme.
- Utilise thorium energy potential.
- Follow pre-existing plans.
- Aim for a sustainable long-term energy supply.
Strategy 6
- Emerging economies are likely to experience the most growth in energy consumption. To effectively combat climate change on a global scale, these countries need to quickly adopt new nuclear energy capacity.
- India’s Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) are globally competitive in performance and cost, making them suitable to meet these energy needs.
- Utilising Thorium-HALEU fuel can enhance the appeal of these reactors. It can improve economic efficiency, safety measures, waste management, and resistance to proliferation.
- India has an opportunity to lead by initiating international cooperation for global climate change solutions.
What Is A Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor?
- A pressurised heavy water reactor is a specific type of nuclear reactor.
- It uses heavy water for cooling and moderation.
- Heavy water includes deuterium, a hydrogen isotope.
- This isotope absorbs fewer neutrons, aiding in nuclear fission chain reactions.
- Pressure is applied to the heavy water to increase its boiling point, enabling it to function at elevated temperatures without boiling.
- Heavy water is scarce and its extraction from regular water is costly.
- Despite the cost, it provides a benefit in that it does not necessitate uranium fuel enrichment, unlike some other reactors.
- The lack of need for uranium enrichment reduces overall expenses, as enrichment processes require separate facilities and are extensive.
Note: This editorial analysis is based on the article “Going Nuclear”, published in the Print edition of The Indian Express on 12 October 2023. The Team GSpedia has also contributed supplementary information to this analysis.