Harnessing nuclear energy will help India meet its growing energy requirement which is expected to touch 3128 Terawatt hours per year with a minimum per capita requirement of 1840 Kwh a year and it is a huge task compared to the present generation of 1031 TWA, distinguished scientist of BARC B.R. Jagtap has said.
Addressing scientists of NSTL here on the occasion of National Technology Day, he said 70 per cent of the power produced came from carbon resources.
As of now, the country was importing 70 per cent of its crude and 40 per cent of gas requirement and it is projected that it would be the world’s largest oil importer by 2020. With the total demand projected to go up to 8000 to 9000 TWh per year, the gap had to be filled by nuclear energy and other renewable energy sources without increasing the carbon footprint, Dr. Jagatap said.
With uranium in fast reactors and utilising thorium of which India has large reserves, the country can tap energy sources to meet its demand with its three-stage nuclear programme with closed fuel cycle, he said.
Indigenous reactors
In Stage I, the country has 18 power stations with world class performance with a total operating capacity 5780 MWe and for another 4300 MWe construction is under construction, he said.
“The commissioning of prototype fast breeder reactor of 500 MWe marks our entry into Stage II. After that we are planning to have five more such indigenous rectors,” Dr. Jagtap said.
The advanced heavy water reactor of 300 Mwe capacity will have all passive features and designed for 100 years. Being designed post-Fukushima, unlike other reactors it has no exclusion zone and can be placed even in the heart of the city.
The plans with various reactors including light water reactors envisaged taking the nuclear power generation to 60000 MWe by 2032, he said.
The inland reactors would be stationed at Banswara, Bargi and Bhimpur and in Haryana and the larger reactors in the coastal areas of Jaitapur, Haripur, Miti Virdi and Kovvada.
Answering questions from scientists, Dr. Jagtap said post-Fukushima, hydrogen mitigation systems and core catchers were being introduced to make reactors 100 per cent safe.
Guided torpedo Varunastra
Scientist G and officiating director of NSTL A.V.V.S. Murthy said guided torpedo Varunastra would be handed over to the Navy this month enabling it prove its underwater capability.
Recalling the contribution, Organising Committee Chairman A. Srinivas Kumar said DRDO team had participated in the fabrication of the implosion of system.
Safety matters
Seventy per cent of the power produced came from carbon resources
Can tap sources with three-stage nuclear programme
Advanced heavy water reactor will have all passive features
Hydrogen mitigation systems, core catchers to make reactors safe
