In a groundbreaking move, Russia has deployed a floating nuclear plant in Pevek, supplying electricity to the entire city and leading to the shutdown of a coal power plant. This development was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her budget speech in the Lok Sabha on July 23.
The Indian government plans to boost nuclear energy development by collaborating with private companies to build small modular reactors, with countries like Russia sharing their technology.
In her address, Sitharaman highlighted three key initiatives aimed at bolstering India’s nuclear energy capabilities.
The government also plans to allocate Rs 1 lakh crore for research and development in nuclear energy, with a goal of maximising electricity generation through nuclear sources.
Globally, there are three common types of nuclear power plants: microreactors, small modular reactors, and standard nuclear reactors. A small modular reactor, often referred to as a floating nuclear power plant, is mobile and uses smaller modules compared to a large nuclear power plant.
- Microreactors: Generate between 1 to 20 MW of electricity and cost approximately Rs 418 crore.
- Small Modular Reactors: Have a capacity of 20 to 300 MW and cost around Rs 3,000 crore.
- Standard Nuclear Plants: Generate 300 to 1,000 MW but are more expensive, costing about Rs 25,000 crore.
SMRs, often referred to as floating nuclear power plants due to their mobility and use of smaller modules, offer a more flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional nuclear plants. The cost and capacity of these reactors vary significantly.
Russia and China are the only countries to have operational floating nuclear power plants.
Russia’s Lomonosov plant, with a capacity of 300 MW, and China’s HTR-PM, capable of producing up to 210 MW, are examples of this technology.
Other nations, including the United States, Argentina, and South Korea, are also developing similar plants, with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission projecting the completion of a reactor by 2035.
India’s small modular reactor power plant, designed to be cost-effective and capable of continuous operation, is set to be a notable advancement in nuclear energy technology. These plants, which can be deployed in remote or coastal areas, offer a reliable power source in regions where electricity is currently supplied by generators.
The Indian Army, stationed in the Andaman Islands, relies on generators for electricity. The deployment of small modular reactors in these regions will significantly enhance their power supply. The reactors used in Russia’s floating plants, consisting of several microreactors, will serve as a model for India’s reactors.
The process of electricity generation in a nuclear power plant involves nuclear fission, where uranium-235 or plutonium-239 atoms in the reactor core release heat. This heat is used to convert water into steam, which drives a turbine connected to a generator, producing electricity. The electricity is then transmitted through transformers and power lines to homes and facilities. A uranium-powered plant requires refuelling only once every 30 years.
India’s current energy sources include large hydropower dams, solar energy, and wind energy. These sources are not only expensive but also contribute significantly to carbon emissions. Small nuclear power plants, utilising uranium for a chemical process to generate electricity, offer a cost-effective and high-output alternative.
The Indian government sees multiple benefits in small nuclear power plants, including reduced carbon emissions and the ability to meet the country’s growing electricity demand. The global push for zero carbon emissions and reduced coal usage, combined with India’s high coal consumption, makes these plants an attractive option.
Small modular reactors are easy to design, build, and integrate into existing grids, eliminating the need for separate infrastructure. They also address the challenge of land acquisition for nuclear plants, as they can be installed on ships or large vehicles for quick deployment. India’s electricity demand is projected to increase by 80 per cent-150 per cent by 2050. SMRs offer a flexible solution for cities and companies to generate their electricity.
The preference for small reactors over large reactors is driven by safety concerns. Large reactors are more likely to emit uncontrollable radioactive material, whereas small reactors are easier to manage and safer. The Chornobyl disaster exemplifies the dangers of large reactors.
On April 26, 1986, a test at the Chornobyl nuclear plant went disastrously wrong. With four reactors at the station, the test on two reactors led to a catastrophic failure when the turbine control valve was removed, and emergency cooling systems were turned off. The nuclear fusion process spiralled out of control, causing the reactor to overheat and ultimately explode. The explosion killed 40 workers and released radiation 400 times more potent than the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs. This radiation spread across Northern and Eastern Europe, affecting 5 million people in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, causing 4,000 deaths from radiation-induced cancers, and resulting in a financial loss of Rs 2.5 lakh crore. The last reactor at Chornobyl was shut down in 2000.
