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ONWARD TO THORIUM

Relevance: GS 3 – Infrastructure (energy, ports, roads, airports, railways)

Why in the News?

• The thorium dream requires further advancement before becoming fully attainable.
• Technology evolves through experience, necessitating a learning curve.
• The initial stage Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) and other technologies exemplify this maturation process.
• Progress hinges on negotiating challenges to establish a robust capability.

Achievement of PFBR Fuel-Loading

• Commencement of fuel-loading into the 500-MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) marks a significant milestone.
• Represents successful completion of commissioning trials and rectification of unique equipment.
• Credits go to BHAVINI, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and associated industries for this accomplishment.

Anticipation of PFBR Operationalization

• Expectation for PFBR to become operational, advancing India into the second stage of its nuclear power program.
• Vital for India’s long-term energy security.
• Provides access to vast thorium resources, crucial for future energy needs.

Role of Nuclear Energy in India’s Development

• Nuclear energy, particularly thorium-based, essential for India’s energy requirements.
• Renewable energy insufficient to meet the country’s growing energy demands.
• Nuclear energy deployment crucial for India’s development journey.
• India requires approximately three-and-a-half times more energy to achieve the vision of Vikasit Bharat.
• The extent of progress towards becoming a developed nation hinges significantly on the deployment of nuclear energy.

Continued Work for Thorium Integration

• Further efforts required for thorium integration.
• Technology refinement through experience and learning curve.
• Similar to the maturation process observed in PHWR and other technologies.

Consolidation of Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor Technology

• Further construction of reactors based on the PFBR model is necessary to solidify sodium-cooled fast reactor technology.
• Expansion of fast reactor capacity is a critical consideration for the second stage of India’s nuclear program.
• Transition to Metallic Fuel
  • Gradual shift from mixed oxide fuel to metallic fuel is essential for advancing fast reactor technology.
  • This transition is accompanied by the development of related fuel-cycle technology.
• Concurrent Fuel Recycling
  • Unlike thermal reactor systems, fuel recycling in fast reactors must be a concurrent process.
  • The establishment of a Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Facility (FRFCF) will facilitate this approach.

Significance of Thorium for Energy Security

• Once a substantial fast breeder reactor capacity is achieved and a significant inventory of uranium-233 is accumulated, the focus will shift to reactors specifically designed for thorium.
• This transition marks the onset of the third stage of India’s nuclear power program.
• Given India’s large population and economy, energy demands rank among the world’s highest, posing significant challenges to energy security.
• Thorium emerges as a critical resource due to its potential to make India energy self-sufficient, reducing dependence on energy imports.
• Uniqueness of Thorium Path
  • Thorium presents a unique opportunity for India’s energy independence, with no comparable alternative globally.
• Challenges in Realizing the Thorium Dream
  • The journey towards realizing the thorium dream has been fraught with challenges.
  • Despite obstacles, India’s autonomous pursuit of goals owes much to the spirit of self-reliance instilled by Homi Bhabha.

Progress in Nuclear Technology Development

• India’s development of critical nuclear technologies, despite facing technology denial regimes, is a significant achievement.
• The three-stage strategy aims to establish a large-scale thorium-based energy program, leveraging modest uranium resources initially.
• Immediate Need for Nuclear Power Deployment:
  • While the three-stage strategy remains valid, the urgent need to decarbonize the energy supply has accelerated the demand for large-scale deployment of nuclear power plants.
  • Nuclear power plays a crucial role in mitigating the existential threat posed by climate change.

Utilization of Available Technologies

• Deployment of nuclear power for decarbonizing the power system relies on existing and readily deployable technologies.
• India possesses 700-MWe and 220-MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) capable of utilizing imported uranium for fuel.

Advancing Thorium Deployment:

• Rapid scaling up of nuclear power deployment is necessary to achieve decarbonization goals.
• Simultaneously, there’s potential for advancing thorium deployment alongside.
• Role of Fast Reactor Capacity:
  • Large-scale utilization of thorium depends on having a significant operational fast reactor capacity as a prerequisite.
• Advancing Thorium Utilization in PHWRs:
  • With accelerated PHWR deployment based on imported uranium, there’s an opportunity to advance thorium utilization in these reactors.
  • This approach offers benefits such as reduced spent-fuel inventory, proliferation-resistance, and improved safety and economy.
• Development of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) and Thorium Fuel:
  • The development of high-assay low-enriched uranium (LEU) and thorium fuel, capable of delivering a seven-times larger fuel burn-up, is crucial.
  • This fuel, known as ANEEL, is designed to require little or no change in PHWR design and is set to be available shortly.
• Implications for Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR300-LEU):
  • The ANEEL fuel concept could facilitate the realization of the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR300-LEU), a fully developed design immune to severe accident-related concerns.

Advancing Thorium Utilization in High-Temperature Reactors:

• High-temperature reactors utilizing thorium can play a crucial role in producing low-cost hydrogen with minimal carbon footprint.
• This technology is vital for decarbonizing industries and heavy cross-country transportation.
• Existing technology and resources can support the development of such reactors, offering advantages over hydrogen electrolysers by enabling direct and cheaper hydrogen production.

Importance of PFBR Fuel-Loading Milestone:

• The commencement of fuel-loading in PFBR signifies a significant milestone deserving celebration.
• It serves to motivate scientists and prepares them for future endeavors in nuclear technology.

Demonstrated Capability of Scientific Community

• India’s scientific community has consistently demonstrated its capability to deliver required technologies when challenged.
• Clear policy directions and support have been instrumental in fostering these achievements.
• Testimony to Success:
  • The comprehensive development of nuclear reactors and fuel cycles, along with the successful commercialization of the first stage of the nuclear program, highlights India’s world-class capabilities.
  • Several related achievements underscore the effectiveness of sustained encouragement and conducive frameworks.
• Need for Continued Support:
  • Sustained encouragement, coupled with a demanding yet supportive framework, is essential to continue fostering advancements in nuclear technology.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/onward-to-thorium-2942175

Mains question

Discuss the significance of thorium utilization in advancing nuclear energy goals and the role of milestones like PFBR fuel-loading in motivating scientific communities. (250 words)