NCL Exploring Mini Nuclear Power for a Cleaner Energy Future in India

Technology News ,India :-   India's Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC), a big power producer, is teaming up with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCL) to check out the use of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) at its coal mines. This move could change the way India gets its energy.

SMRs: A New Kind of Nuclear Power

SMRs are a new kind of nuclear technology. Unlike big reactors that produce gigawatts of power, SMRs are smaller, operating at capacities under 300 MWe. They are more modular, meaning they can be put together like building blocks.

NLC's leader, M Prasanna Kumar, says SMRs have the potential to fill the gap between large nuclear power plants and the changing power from sources like solar and wind.

Why It Matters for India

SMRs could bring some important benefits to India:

1. Stable Power Supply: SMRs could give a steady supply of power, making the electricity grid more stable and reducing the ups and downs that come with renewable energy.

2. Working Towards Zero Emissions: India wants to have zero carbon emissions by 2070. SMRs could be a cleaner energy choice in India, which still depends a lot on coal for power.

3. Moving Toward Cleaner Energy: NLC looking into SMRs shows they are thinking ahead and planning for a cleaner energy future.

Early Steps, Big Potential

Even though NLC and NPCL are still in the early stages of working together, this is a big step toward trying out SMRs in India.

The possible benefits, like more secure energy and less pollution, make investigating SMRs an interesting idea.

Other Things to Think About

But, before fully jumping in, experts say we need to think about a few things:

1. Cost: We need to make sure SMRs make economic sense compared to other ways of making energy.

2. Rules and Regulations: There should be clear rules about how to use and run SMRs.

3. What People Think: People might worry about nuclear technology, so it's important to address their concerns.

What's Next for Indian Energy

NLC checking out SMRs is a big deal for India's move toward cleaner energy. We don't know yet if SMRs will become a big part of the change, but this effort adds something interesting to the conversation about India's energy future.