KAIGA: The Atomic Energy Commission of India and the Department of Atomic Energy have said they will come out with modular reactors that will enable the production of nuclear and clean energy on a small scale to meet requirements at the local level.
These reactors that can be set up in small towns will ensure decentralisation of power generation and minimise distribution losses.
Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman, AEC and Secretary, DAE, told TNIE that these are light water reactors.
“They will use enriched uranium, and we have the choice of generating power as low as 55 megawatts. Such reactors can be set up in any city or town. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre will develop these reactors.”
He said research to develop such reactors has been going on in Russia and India. Asked whether there is any town where such a reactor is going to be set up, he said that such projects will be taken up in Tarapore and other places. “Land is available in Tarapore. We will start there and develop such reactors wherever required,” he said.
These modular reactors require minuscule investment as compared to massive power plants. While power plants with capacities of 200-300 mw are considered small modular reactors by the International Atomic Energy Agency, these reactors can be scaled up from 55 mw, he said.
Fast-breeder reactors will be game changer
Mohanty said research is on to develop fast-breeder reactors in the country that will use sodium as a fuel. “That will be a game changer. It will happen in one or two months.
The normal thermal neutron does not release much energy, whereas fast breeders yield more. Sodium has high conductivity, absorbs and removes more heat. In one month, the fuel loading will be done and will be changed as per the fuel cycle,” he said. Also, private nuclear plants will be allowed to generate electricity in the country, provided they fulfill all the modalities, he said.