New Delhi, Feb 4 (NationPress) India is focusing on the implementation of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) at brownfield sites, utilizing them as dedicated power plants to facilitate swift decarbonisation in energy-intensive industries. This initiative aims to repurpose aging fossil fuel power stations and provide energy in remote areas lacking grid infrastructure, as reported to Parliament on Wednesday.

The ambitious goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047 can be met through the use of large reactors, including indigenous 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and advanced reactor designs sourced from abroad at greenfield locations. According to Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and Atomic Energy, SMRs are particularly well-suited for accelerating decarbonisation in the energy sector at brownfield sites.

SMRs represent a cutting-edge technology for industrial decarbonisation, especially in contexts requiring a dependable and consistent power supply. They can be designed with load-follow capabilities, enhancing operational flexibility. The construction time is reduced, leading to lower capital costs, and their designs can be standardized for mass production, the minister emphasized.

The Nuclear Energy Mission includes a new project from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for the design and development of SMRs, which encompasses the 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200). The detailed project report has received approval, and financial sanction is pending. Various pre-project activities are currently underway, he added.

In principle, the proposal for the 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55) has also been approved, with design detailing progressing. The design and development of key prototype equipment are ongoing.

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has developed significant expertise throughout the nuclear fuel cycle due to its experience with indigenous PHWRs. This knowledge is being applied to the pressurised water-based SMRs. Slightly Enriched Uranium (SEU) is being considered as a viable fuel option for the proposed SMRs. For domestic fuel, plans include reprocessing spent fuel to recover valuable nuclear materials and lessen the overall nuclear waste burden, the minister stated.

Furthermore, the minister reiterated that the overarching strategy for nuclear waste management remains unchanged, focusing on reducing the overall waste burden. This involves recovering useful radioisotopes, minimizing volume, followed by vitrifying waste in a stable glass matrix and storing it in engineered facilities monitored to meet internationally recognized standards. However, for SMRs, the reprocessing technology will be adapted based on fuel configurations.

The DAE possesses the necessary scientific and technological expertise for the design and development processes, with most equipment being within the manufacturing capabilities of Indian industries, supported by BARC’s technological guidance, the minister concluded.