INDO-US NUCLEAR TALKS

The eagerness with which US pursuing the INDO-US Civilian Nuclear Agreement signed on July 18, 2005 to take for culmination into reality shows the US and its allies are going to be benefited more by implementation of the agreement rather than India. India may have to procure the nuclear fuel and other reactor components from the very countries to build the reactors with minimum gestation period to meet the immediate power requirement in the country. Western countries are going to gain more by India’s ambitious nuclear power programs.

Fortunately, Indian side is standing its ground with respect to its requirement of continuing with the nuclear tests as and when necessary, and also reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel for separation of useful fuel plutonium (Pu) and cesium (Cs) which can be used as gamma radiation source for industrial and medical applications. In view of the developments taking place in the India’s neighborhood and for its own defense requirement of introducing nuclear-capable Agni ballistic missile systems, nuclear tests are un-avoidable. Let India not bow down to pressures from the vested interests and compromise on the stand rightly taken by the nuclear establishment in the issue.

POWER SECTOR – GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Power Sector is the single biggest contributor to greenhouse gas inventory (GHGI), which is primarily responsible for Global Warming. Total contribution to GHGI from each of the electricity generating technology - emissions from the production of raw materials (like steel, aluminum, etc) to the various process stages of generation of electricity, including management of waste and transmission of the power, need to be taken into account to get the Full Energy Chain Greenhouse Gas Emission Factor (FENCH-GHG) in the units of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt hour electric, for the purpose of comparison. The results of one such Japanese study is given below:


More effective (than CO2) GHG methane emitted from the decaying water-submerged vegetation is not taken into account in the above calculations for hydropower sector. Hence, probably the factor is low. As could be seen nuclear power is the environmentally cleaner power option. Then what is stopping?

GREENHOUSE EMISSION FACTORS FOR SOME MATERIALS

For Full-Energy-Chain (FENCH) analysis is required for comparison of different energy options in power sector with respect to greenhouse gas emissions to facilitate energy planning and taking policy decisions. The greenhouse gas emission factors (GHEFs) of the raw materials flowing into the different energy sources at different stages such as construction (steel &cement) and selection of materials for the equipments (steel, aluminum, copper), are also important to calculate the overall greenhouse gas emissions, including non-CO2 emissions such as CF4, N2O, etc). The GHEFs (IAEA data) in the units of gm CO2 equivalent per gm of some of the greenhouse gas intensive materials are given here:

Cement : 0.76
Concrete : 1.95
Steel : 2.2
Aluminum : 34.2
Copper : 3.5
Silicon : 181
Glass : 1.2
Nitric acid : 1.4
Plastics : 7.9

As could be seen, silicon and glass (used in solar energy system) are highly GHG intensive material. Similarly, aluminum is extensively used in nuclear energy. GHG emissions control should start right from Cradle to Grave, i.e., Full Energy Chain.

INDIA - US BILATERAL NUCLEAR AGREEMENT

The so called 123 Deal is yet to be closed to the satisfaction of India. As one can see, there will not be any deal without India retaining the reprocessing rights of the spent fuel. Definitely, the nuclear fuel supplies from US and other Nuclear Fuel Supplier’ Group countries will help India in running the half-starved nuclear power reactors in full steam. But this is only a short-term benefit. And, too many unreasonable conditions put forth by the Nuclear Fuel Suppliers Group such as signing of NPT, end to nuclear tests, acceptance of technical “benchmarks”, etc will break the very backbone of the country’s ambitious nuclear power program, and compromise its security requirements.

It is high time that India should pursue its thorium fuel cycle programs with zeal and be the lead country in the world, and ensure availability of the nuclear power for decades without any unpleasant deals. Nature has bestowed plenty of thorium which can sustain the program, and elevate Indian technological superiority in the nuclear field.

RISING WATERS AND SAFETY OF NUCLEAR SITES

Media has been continuously reporting about the possible outcome of the global warming scenarios such as:
· Sea to gulp more land by 2020
· Melting glaciers could lead to a flood of troubles
· Calamity countdown
· Act now or face the heat
· World has just 8 years to tackle global warming

It is high time (may be rather late) that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and National Regulatory Authorities prepare a master plan for the safe management of the possible disastrous consequences of rising waters due to global warming in nuclear installations including the power plants, fuel processing plants, spent fuel reprocessing plants and radioactive waste disposal sites. From cooling water and low level liquid waste disposal considerations, generally radiation installation sites, particularly for nuclear power plants are located close to sea or virtually on the seashore. Often, the consequences may cross national boundaries, particularly in Europe.

The IAEA can act as a nodal agency to ensure existence of the disaster management plans in all the member states, review the plans for their adequacy, and advice the states on the immediate safety measures to be undertaken to prevent flooding of the nuclear sites.

URANIUM FUEL FOR INDIA

The article "Uranium Thorn" published in the Editorial Opinion page of the Times of India dated 20th April, 2007 made an interesting reading. Dr. Rory Medcalf has brought out very well the dilemma of Australia in responding to India's request for uranium fuel for PHWR reactors. It seems to be real. Australia has everything to gain by supporting India in the time of need than waiting for India to sign the one-sided imperfect instrument such as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which is unlikely. The author's suggestion to Australia of keeping its options open and keep the dialogue with India going will be a well thought out strategy. Who wants to miss out the goodwill of a future democratic superpower with strong economy and a huge reservoir of talented manpower?

ARM-TWISTING IN INDO-US NUCLEAR DEAL

Negotiations are going tough for the Indian side on the 123 agreement for civil nuclear cooperation. It is true that we need nuclear fuel to meet our committed nuclear power projected for the future. But at the same time, India should not at any cost compromise on their right for reprocessing their own spent fuel from the PHWR Reactors.

World today, recognizes India as a nuclear super power in view of the fact that India has considerable expertise in the entire nuclear fuel cycle operations, starting from mining, fuel fabrication, reactor operations, reprocessing, waste management and recycle of the plutonium obtained from the spent fuel reprocessing back in the fast breeder reactors. We are able to produce enough heavy water required for its own use and even the country is able to export the same to the so-called developed countries. In the field of radioisotopes applications, the country is doing exceptionally well, particularly the usage in the medical and industrial applications. Indian mangos will soon reach US homes after irradiation to treat weevils and fruit fly as per the US Standard.

Now:

1. If India can do so well in almost all nuclear related fields, why anybody should feel that India is not responsible enough to be accepted as a full-fledged Nuclear Power?

2. India on its own has developed the reprocessing technology over the years and one can be sure that it does not need anybody’s help in the field. Why there should be restrictions on the reprocessing when India needs the plutonium obtained from the reprocessing operations for its future nuclear power programs? This is the larger picture that everybody should see.

3. The proposed ban on tests is not very relevant at this juncture. Tests need to be carried out to keep in tune with the newer developments taking place in the neighboring countries. National security can not be negotiated on a tabletop.