Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Small modular reactors

Mains level: India's energy transition, Small modular reactors, advantages, challenges and way ahead

What’s the news?

The rise of coal consumption in Europe, despite increased solar and wind power, underscores the need for reliable, low-carbon electricity sources.

Central idea

The global pursuit of decarbonization aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 7, which aims to provide affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. With fossil fuels still accounting for 82% of the world’s energy supply, decarbonizing the power sector is imperative. SMRs, a form of nuclear reactor, hold promise for India’s energy landscape by offering a solution to this challenge.

Small Modular Reactors are a type of nuclear reactor design characterized by their smaller size, simplified construction, and modular nature.
Unlike traditional large nuclear power plants, which have a single reactor with a high-power output, SMRs are designed to have a smaller power capacity, typically ranging from a few megawatts (MW) to around 300 MW.
Their compact size and modular design allow for easier manufacturing, transport, and deployment.

Insufficient Solar and Wind Energy: Policymakers acknowledge that relying solely on solar and wind energy is inadequate for ensuring affordable energy access globally.
Critical Minerals Demand Surge: The International Energy Agency predicts a potential 3.5-fold increase in demand for vital minerals (lithium, nickel, cobalt, rare earth elements) needed for clean-energy technologies by 2030.
Capital Intensive Development: Significant capital investments are required to establish new mines and processing facilities to meet the surging demand for critical minerals.
Environmental and Social Impacts: The rapid establishment of new mines and plants in regions like China, Indonesia, Africa, and South America carries potential environmental and social consequences.
Geopolitical and Resource Control Risks: The dominance of a few nations in mineral production and processing (50-100% global capacity) introduces geopolitical vulnerabilities and control risks.

Time and Cost Overruns: Conventional nuclear power plants often experience delays and cost overruns during construction.
Resource Dependency: Nuclear power plants’ reliance on uranium creates concerns about resource dependency and supply chain vulnerabilities.
Public Perception: Despite contributing 10% of global electricity and avoiding 180 billion cubic meters of natural gas demand and 1.5 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, nuclear power faces public concerns related to accidents, waste disposal, and environmental impact.
Waste Management: Radioactive waste generated by nuclear power requires safe and effective long-term management.
Safety Risks: While nuclear power plants implement safety measures, events like Chernobyl and Fukushima underscore the potential for catastrophic accidents.
Environmental Impact: The nuclear power lifecycle, including uranium mining and waste storage, poses various environmental impacts.
Decommissioning Challenges: Properly decommissioning nuclear power plants presents technical and financial complexities.

Enhanced Safety and Simplified Design:
- SMRs have a smaller core damage frequency and source term compared to conventional NPPs.
- Incorporate enhanced seismic isolation and passive safety features.
- Design simplicity reduces the potential for uncontrolled radioactive material release.
Lower Environmental Impact:
- Due to their simplified design and improved safety features, SMRs have a reduced environmental impact.
- Lower risk of radioactive material release.
Flexibility and Community Engagement:
- SMRs can be safely installed in brownfield sites, minimizing the need for land acquisition and community displacement.
- SMR projects foster better understanding and acceptance of nuclear power in local communities.
Energy Security and Fuel Efficiency:
- SMRs contribute to energy security by diversifying energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Many land-based SMRs use low-enriched uranium, sourced from countries with uranium mines and enrichment facilities.
Cost-Effectiveness and Long Operational Lifespan:
- The Projected levelized cost of electricity from SMRs is between $60-90 per MWh.
- Costs are expected to decrease as deployment and manufacturing efficiency improve.
- SMRs are designed for over 40 years of operation, providing stable, long-term, low-carbon electricity.
Coal-to-Nuclear Transition:
- Deploying SMRs aids in transitioning from coal-based power generation to nuclear energy.
- Facilitates progress toward net-zero emissions

Energy Generation Enhancement:
- India’s Central Electricity Authority (CEA) projects a need to increase coal-based thermal power plants (TPPs) capacity from 212,000 MW to 259,000 MW by 2032.
- The Generation capacity of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) sources is projected to grow from 130,000 MW to 486,000 MW.
Energy Storage Requirement:
- Integration of power from VRE sources with the national grid requires additional energy storage: Battery storage: 47,000 MW/236 GWh and Hydroelectric facilities: 27,000 MW.
Projected Energy Contribution by 2031-2032:
- TPPs are expected to provide more than 50% of India’s total electricity generation.
- VRE sources are projected to contribute around 35%.
- NPPs, including SMRs, are estimated to contribute 4.4%.

Global Regulatory Alignment:
- Facilitate collaboration among countries adopting nuclear energy.
- Harmonize regulatory requirements under the guidance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to expedite approvals for standardized Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Energy Mix Optimization:
- Balancing coal-based thermal power plants (TPPs), Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) sources, and nuclear power, including SMRs.
- Prioritize capacity enhancement of TPPs and VRE sources to meet rising energy demands.
Legal and Regulatory Adaptation:
- Amend the Atomic Energy Act to enable private sector involvement in SMRs.
- Maintain government control over nuclear fuel, waste, and security.
Regulatory Empowerment:
- Enact a law to establish an independent regulatory board overseeing all nuclear power generation stages.
- Ensure compliance with safety, security, and safeguards measures.
Secure SMR Operation: Retain government control over SMR security while facilitating private sector operation under appropriate supervision.

Small modular reactors represent a promising avenue for India’s energy transition, offering enhanced safety, scalability, and alignment with decarbonization goals. Addressing regulatory, legal, and investment challenges can catalyze India’s shift towards a sustainable and secure energy future.