On and off on the record, the Communist Party of India (CPM) has been supporting and opposing the Indo-US nuclear deal. As the first stage of operationalizing the deal, India has started negotiating with the IAEA, the safeguards aspects of the deal. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is also playing its own game by asking the Prime Minister to intervene during the on-going debate on the deal at the Rajya Sabha. One of the so-called specialists, is cautioning the government about the possibility of the restrictive clauses of Hyde Act and the 123 Agreement in the safeguards pact.
As per the results of the opinion poll of a leading news paper in India, the Indian “janata” wants the deal to come through so that the environmentally clean nuclear power sector can contribute significantly to the Indian power mix in the future. At the same time, let the Thorium Fuel Cycle take a leading role in nuclear power programs being envisaged by the country.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Why India should go for Thorium fuel Cycle?
Developed countries in the west are not blessed with large thorium deposits while uranium could be procured easily from the mines of Canada, South Africa and Australia for the Light-Water Reactors (LWR). That seems to be main reason why the thorium fuel cycle was not pursued with vigor in the west and uranium fuel cycle served the purpose of power generation and for producing plutonium for nuclear weapons. It is definitely low-risk development of choice with inherent safety. However, the generation of large amounts of high-level waste, including trans-plutonics and their ultimate disposal became an emotive subject worldwide.
India is one of the very few blessed countries with large deposits of thorium right on the beaches of the States Kerala and Orissa. But somehow, the high technology required for thorium fuel cycle didn’t take off earlier probably due to the “sanctions” post 1974. Besides, uranium was available from the Jaduguda mines, and a number of PHWRs were built for nuclear power generation. Simultaneously, however, thorium utilization was at the top in the agenda for the long term core objective of the “third stage” of the nuclear power program.
At present, it is reported that BARC is engaged in developing 300 MWe Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) to gain expertise for thorium utilization and for demonstrating advanced safety concepts. Mixed Thoria-Urania and Thoria-Plutonia are the candidate fuels for the AHWR. Accelerator Driven Sub-Critical Systems (ADS) is the latest addition to the Indian Nuclear program for large scale utilization of thorium. It is expected to provide the strong technology base for its ambitious program of incineration of the long-lived actinides and fission products, thereby reducing the high level waste inventory. India’s long term nuclear power program is reported to be based on the thorium fuel cycle.
The much publicized Indo-US nuclear deal, if works out satisfactorily, would have augmented the short-term nuclear power contribution from the PHWRs. Natural uranium is used as the fuel, which India seems to have short supply.
India is one of the very few blessed countries with large deposits of thorium right on the beaches of the States Kerala and Orissa. But somehow, the high technology required for thorium fuel cycle didn’t take off earlier probably due to the “sanctions” post 1974. Besides, uranium was available from the Jaduguda mines, and a number of PHWRs were built for nuclear power generation. Simultaneously, however, thorium utilization was at the top in the agenda for the long term core objective of the “third stage” of the nuclear power program.
At present, it is reported that BARC is engaged in developing 300 MWe Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) to gain expertise for thorium utilization and for demonstrating advanced safety concepts. Mixed Thoria-Urania and Thoria-Plutonia are the candidate fuels for the AHWR. Accelerator Driven Sub-Critical Systems (ADS) is the latest addition to the Indian Nuclear program for large scale utilization of thorium. It is expected to provide the strong technology base for its ambitious program of incineration of the long-lived actinides and fission products, thereby reducing the high level waste inventory. India’s long term nuclear power program is reported to be based on the thorium fuel cycle.
The much publicized Indo-US nuclear deal, if works out satisfactorily, would have augmented the short-term nuclear power contribution from the PHWRs. Natural uranium is used as the fuel, which India seems to have short supply.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
What the IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei said at the The Indian Fifth Annual Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, New Delhi
The Summit, held on 12 October, 2007, featured talks by several important political figures in India, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Ms. Sonia Gandhi and the IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei, who talked on - Global security: The need for a new beginning.
Some of the challenges humanity is facing today, as listed by him are:
• Poverty and the persistent inequity in the global distribution of wealth. A study by the United Nations University found that, as of the year 2000, the richest one percent of the world's population owned 40 percent of the world's assets. By contrast, the poorest half of humanity owned barely one percent of global wealth.
• Religious intolerance and the lack of political freedom to systematic oppression and torture and human right abuses, lack of good governance
• Uneven approach to the sanctity of human life
• Global insecurities and threats of nuclear and radiological terrorism.
He said that India has never joined the NPT, and therefore has not made the same legal commitments, it shares responsibility in terms of the urgent need for leadership on nuclear disarmament. In fact, he quoted that next month, it would be 50 years since Prime Minister Nehru made an impassioned appeal, here in New Delhi, for a worldwide end to nuclear testing and the elimination of all nuclear weapons arsenals, in order to "save humanity from the ultimate disaster".
He appreciated the sustained economic growth of recent years has given hope that the political freedoms enjoyed by the Indian people can be coupled with economic prosperity for all. He said democracy is an evolutionary process; however, it must begin from within, and it must be nurtured and supported, regardless of whether the particular leader is a political friend or foe, and regardless of the outcome of a given election. Investments should be in more advanced science and technology to meet development needs - seeking to do more than create more wealth for the wealthy
He appealed to the international community to deal with symptoms of insecurity at the national level, including nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. On the nuclear front he said, the security of existing stocks of nuclear and radiological material should be strengthened, and controls over sensitive nuclear operations that produce such material should be tightened.
Dr. ElBaradei emphasized the need to engage in the sustained diplomacy necessary to resolve longstanding conflicts and to alleviate problems of poverty and hunger to generate momentum for good governance. He called for investments on innovation to address problems of hunger and disease.
Some of the challenges humanity is facing today, as listed by him are:
• Poverty and the persistent inequity in the global distribution of wealth. A study by the United Nations University found that, as of the year 2000, the richest one percent of the world's population owned 40 percent of the world's assets. By contrast, the poorest half of humanity owned barely one percent of global wealth.
• Religious intolerance and the lack of political freedom to systematic oppression and torture and human right abuses, lack of good governance
• Uneven approach to the sanctity of human life
• Global insecurities and threats of nuclear and radiological terrorism.
He said that India has never joined the NPT, and therefore has not made the same legal commitments, it shares responsibility in terms of the urgent need for leadership on nuclear disarmament. In fact, he quoted that next month, it would be 50 years since Prime Minister Nehru made an impassioned appeal, here in New Delhi, for a worldwide end to nuclear testing and the elimination of all nuclear weapons arsenals, in order to "save humanity from the ultimate disaster".
He appreciated the sustained economic growth of recent years has given hope that the political freedoms enjoyed by the Indian people can be coupled with economic prosperity for all. He said democracy is an evolutionary process; however, it must begin from within, and it must be nurtured and supported, regardless of whether the particular leader is a political friend or foe, and regardless of the outcome of a given election. Investments should be in more advanced science and technology to meet development needs - seeking to do more than create more wealth for the wealthy
He appealed to the international community to deal with symptoms of insecurity at the national level, including nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. On the nuclear front he said, the security of existing stocks of nuclear and radiological material should be strengthened, and controls over sensitive nuclear operations that produce such material should be tightened.
Dr. ElBaradei emphasized the need to engage in the sustained diplomacy necessary to resolve longstanding conflicts and to alleviate problems of poverty and hunger to generate momentum for good governance. He called for investments on innovation to address problems of hunger and disease.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
INDO - US NUCLEAR AGREEMENT
Two long years of hard negotiations and diplomacy is coming to nought if India fails to forge the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement by not taking steps to operationalize the deal. The Left parties of the coalition government are insisting on withdrawal of the Government from the deal, unexpectedly at the last minute. By doing so, the nuclear power scenario in India is going to take a beating. The country may not be able to contribute even the 2-3% of the total electricity generated. The Indian community in US seems to be very unhappy with this development. According to them, the deal is more beneficial to India than to US, which of course is debatable. It is more of a business deal for US. The deal is of billions of dollars worth to US, in terms of selling reactors, reactor components, nuclear fuel and other high tech equipments.
It is extremely difficult for India to prosper in nuclear ventures being isolated from other resourceful countries. Power from thorium fuel cycle is still a few years away. The country should go all out for mining uranium from the newly found deposits in the north eastern state of Meghalaya, to fuel its PHWRs. What about utilization of depleted uranium stock? Fissile material percentage in depleted uranium need to be compensated by addition of other fissile actinide materials.
Meanwhile, why not try to negotiate with other interested countries for similar agreement without compromising on the reprocessing rights and the right to test nuclear devises. Why US alone? There are 44 other friendly countries such as France, Russia, and Australia to negotiate in the 45 nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
It is extremely difficult for India to prosper in nuclear ventures being isolated from other resourceful countries. Power from thorium fuel cycle is still a few years away. The country should go all out for mining uranium from the newly found deposits in the north eastern state of Meghalaya, to fuel its PHWRs. What about utilization of depleted uranium stock? Fissile material percentage in depleted uranium need to be compensated by addition of other fissile actinide materials.
Meanwhile, why not try to negotiate with other interested countries for similar agreement without compromising on the reprocessing rights and the right to test nuclear devises. Why US alone? There are 44 other friendly countries such as France, Russia, and Australia to negotiate in the 45 nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
Monday, October 15, 2007
Unkept promises by the governments – the nuclear deal
It is reported that the Democratic Front coalition government (Congress and NCP) at Maharashtra State has a record of 8984 unkept promises or assurances given to the people who voted them to power on issues raised on the floor of the state legislature during the period 2005 to date. Out of the total 13,025 only 4041 assurances were implemented. There seems to be no difference between the false promises made in front of the hired crowd during election rally and the august floor of the legislature. Nobody is taking stock of the situation!
Situation seems to be no better at the national level, governed by Congress and Left Front. The much discussed Indo-US Nuclear Deal is kept on hold just because the government wants to be in power for the remaining 12 to 14 months of the term in the Office. The members of the Parliament are not in favour of early elections because they may not get elected. The top leaders make inconsistent statements. The earlier bold statements made in the so-called “national interest” suddenly seem to have forgotten and the Front is now only clinging to power. For operationalize the nuclear agreement, the necessary step of approaching the IAEA for the Safeguards Agreement is kept in the backburner. It will be a big setback to the Indian Nuclear Power Programme and the nuclear power scenario in the country.
The people of India are still guessing on whose interest the Left parties are opposing the deal, at the last moment? Definitely not in the country’s interest I suppose.
Situation seems to be no better at the national level, governed by Congress and Left Front. The much discussed Indo-US Nuclear Deal is kept on hold just because the government wants to be in power for the remaining 12 to 14 months of the term in the Office. The members of the Parliament are not in favour of early elections because they may not get elected. The top leaders make inconsistent statements. The earlier bold statements made in the so-called “national interest” suddenly seem to have forgotten and the Front is now only clinging to power. For operationalize the nuclear agreement, the necessary step of approaching the IAEA for the Safeguards Agreement is kept in the backburner. It will be a big setback to the Indian Nuclear Power Programme and the nuclear power scenario in the country.
The people of India are still guessing on whose interest the Left parties are opposing the deal, at the last moment? Definitely not in the country’s interest I suppose.
Monday, September 17, 2007
INDO-US NUCLEAR DEAL
The Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and US President George Bush announced the Indo-US civilian nuclear cooperation agreement in Washington on July, 2005. Apparently, the deal has created a lot of discussions, apprehensions and concerns among the public in general and people connected with Indian nuclear establishments, in particular. There has been considerable media coverage for the deal. Here, the typical titles appeared in news papers are given to show the progress, date-wise, for the benefit of everybody. The titles are self explanatory and hence details are not given.
1. India, US to start make or break N-talks – as American poll nears, officials say current session is last attempt, 16/7/2007
2. India, US likely to seal nuclear deal today, 20/7/2007
3. All (Nu) clear – India, US break logjam to finalize the nuke deal after 2 yrs of talks, 22/7/2007
4. Indian Cabinet clears N-deal – But Left is yet to say the landmark nuclear accord with the US is right, 26/7/2007
5. Congressmen oppose N-concessions to India, Pakistan tests N-capable missile: Australia moves closer to selling uranium to India, 27/7/2007.
6. BJP okay with nuclear deal : But seeks clarity on India retaining its right to test – BJP delegation meeting with the PM, 27/7/2007
7. Nuke deal is done – The Indo-US nuclear cooperation deal will allow India access to US nuclear fuel and equipment for the first time in 30 years, 28/7/2007
8. Three nuclear questions – Why it might be too early to celebrate the Indo-US nuclear deal, 28/7/2007
9. N-deal better than expected, says Narayanan
10. N-deal (operating agreement) a historic milestone, to work on safeguards agreement, says Rice
11. 123 pact silent on N-test fallout – Pranab, Rice announce deal completion, fuel supply assurances worked out to India’s satisfaction, 29/7/2007
12. Between the lines of N-deal (123 agreement): No more tests, but India guaranteed fuel supply?, 29/7/2007
13. Aussies offer to back N-deal, sell uranium – Canberra decision on exporting nuclear fuel soon, 01/8/2007
14. US & India ride on – nuclear deal is a platform for a vibrant partnership.
15. US plans special NSG (45 members) meet to push India deal; BJP seeks House panel into nuclear deal. India’s status as a weapon state? 05/8/2007.
16. Left waves red flag at Indo-US 123 N-pact; Govt. ready for N-debate, 08/8/2007
17. N-deal is right, PM tells Left. The PM says the 123 agreement has been approved by the cabinet and there is no question of going back on it, 09/8/2007.
18. US hangs on to defense bar. India can’t acquire civilian items with military uses despite nuclear deal.
19. China had nothing to do with N-deal opposition – CPM (Communist Party of India) clarifies, 08/9/2007
20. Left Units divided on withdrawing support. Reluctance to risk a midterm Lok Sabha poll at this stage.
21. Let history be the judge, says PM, 14/8/2007
22. N-deal will be off if India tests: US, 16/8/2007
23. No bar on N-test, US tacitly admits, 18/8/2007
24. Honeymoon’s up, marriage limps on. Left front set to endorse CPI’s tough stand. N-deal will be PM’s swansong: Chinese media, 18/8/2007
25. George calls PM a traitor for signing the Indo-US nuclear deal,18/8/2007
26. Indo-US deal does not prohibit N-tests, says Kakodkar, Chairman, AEC, 18/8/2007
27. Left puts Govt on notice, polls loom,19/8/2007.
28. N-deal failure may hit Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons.
29. Left, UPA pause for breadth, Govt to set up panel to study Hyde Act, Calling off deal will isolate India, 20/8/2007.
30. No world for India if nuke deal is dumped. Diplomacy, strategy, economy: The nation stands to lose, 20/8/2007
31. Sino-Pak N-talks to counter India, 20/8/2007
32. CPM threat to withdraw support to UPA government to get nod from the Party’s Central Committee. Red bastions upset with Left on N-deal, 23/8/2007.
33. China undecided about policy on India’s NSG entry, 24/8/2007.
34. CPM’s suddenly soft on the PM, 24/8/2007.
35. Govt. won’t float a Hyde Act in India, 27/8/2007
36. Government refuses to put IAEA talks on hold, 28/8/2007.
37. Experts back PM’s conviction on pact. BARC scientists issue appeal for support; 123 debate likely to be delayed further; Government quotes energy study push nuke deal, 29/8/2007.
38. 123 –pause, govt blinks, Indo-US nuke deal put on hold till a committee formed to go into the left’s objections submits its findings, 31/8/2007.
39. No safeguards talks at IAEA meet: CPM leader Yechury, 03/9/2007
40. Parliamentary debate on nuke deal looks unlikely, 05/9/2007.
41. Cabinet mulls N-act changes. Move to strengthen regulatory & safety measures in reprocessing; Govt. advances N-deal debate, House debate nuke deal today, 06/9/2007.
42. N-Panel device to save govt.; Foreign Minister defends the UPA-Left panel.
43. China had nothing to do with N-deal opposition, CPM clarifies stance in weekly meeting against slander, 08/9/2007.
44. Left digs in its heels on N-deal, 11/9/2007.
45. Govt hints at polls ahead of schedule, Left submits note on N-pact to govt, 15/9/2007.
India could sustain its nuclear program so far without any major setback using uranium fuel cycle. In fact, the country is the achiever in the hi-tech thorium fuel cycle, on its own. So, with or without N-deal there is a bright future for the nuclear power in Indian power mix.
1. India, US to start make or break N-talks – as American poll nears, officials say current session is last attempt, 16/7/2007
2. India, US likely to seal nuclear deal today, 20/7/2007
3. All (Nu) clear – India, US break logjam to finalize the nuke deal after 2 yrs of talks, 22/7/2007
4. Indian Cabinet clears N-deal – But Left is yet to say the landmark nuclear accord with the US is right, 26/7/2007
5. Congressmen oppose N-concessions to India, Pakistan tests N-capable missile: Australia moves closer to selling uranium to India, 27/7/2007.
6. BJP okay with nuclear deal : But seeks clarity on India retaining its right to test – BJP delegation meeting with the PM, 27/7/2007
7. Nuke deal is done – The Indo-US nuclear cooperation deal will allow India access to US nuclear fuel and equipment for the first time in 30 years, 28/7/2007
8. Three nuclear questions – Why it might be too early to celebrate the Indo-US nuclear deal, 28/7/2007
9. N-deal better than expected, says Narayanan
10. N-deal (operating agreement) a historic milestone, to work on safeguards agreement, says Rice
11. 123 pact silent on N-test fallout – Pranab, Rice announce deal completion, fuel supply assurances worked out to India’s satisfaction, 29/7/2007
12. Between the lines of N-deal (123 agreement): No more tests, but India guaranteed fuel supply?, 29/7/2007
13. Aussies offer to back N-deal, sell uranium – Canberra decision on exporting nuclear fuel soon, 01/8/2007
14. US & India ride on – nuclear deal is a platform for a vibrant partnership.
15. US plans special NSG (45 members) meet to push India deal; BJP seeks House panel into nuclear deal. India’s status as a weapon state? 05/8/2007.
16. Left waves red flag at Indo-US 123 N-pact; Govt. ready for N-debate, 08/8/2007
17. N-deal is right, PM tells Left. The PM says the 123 agreement has been approved by the cabinet and there is no question of going back on it, 09/8/2007.
18. US hangs on to defense bar. India can’t acquire civilian items with military uses despite nuclear deal.
19. China had nothing to do with N-deal opposition – CPM (Communist Party of India) clarifies, 08/9/2007
20. Left Units divided on withdrawing support. Reluctance to risk a midterm Lok Sabha poll at this stage.
21. Let history be the judge, says PM, 14/8/2007
22. N-deal will be off if India tests: US, 16/8/2007
23. No bar on N-test, US tacitly admits, 18/8/2007
24. Honeymoon’s up, marriage limps on. Left front set to endorse CPI’s tough stand. N-deal will be PM’s swansong: Chinese media, 18/8/2007
25. George calls PM a traitor for signing the Indo-US nuclear deal,18/8/2007
26. Indo-US deal does not prohibit N-tests, says Kakodkar, Chairman, AEC, 18/8/2007
27. Left puts Govt on notice, polls loom,19/8/2007.
28. N-deal failure may hit Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons.
29. Left, UPA pause for breadth, Govt to set up panel to study Hyde Act, Calling off deal will isolate India, 20/8/2007.
30. No world for India if nuke deal is dumped. Diplomacy, strategy, economy: The nation stands to lose, 20/8/2007
31. Sino-Pak N-talks to counter India, 20/8/2007
32. CPM threat to withdraw support to UPA government to get nod from the Party’s Central Committee. Red bastions upset with Left on N-deal, 23/8/2007.
33. China undecided about policy on India’s NSG entry, 24/8/2007.
34. CPM’s suddenly soft on the PM, 24/8/2007.
35. Govt. won’t float a Hyde Act in India, 27/8/2007
36. Government refuses to put IAEA talks on hold, 28/8/2007.
37. Experts back PM’s conviction on pact. BARC scientists issue appeal for support; 123 debate likely to be delayed further; Government quotes energy study push nuke deal, 29/8/2007.
38. 123 –pause, govt blinks, Indo-US nuke deal put on hold till a committee formed to go into the left’s objections submits its findings, 31/8/2007.
39. No safeguards talks at IAEA meet: CPM leader Yechury, 03/9/2007
40. Parliamentary debate on nuke deal looks unlikely, 05/9/2007.
41. Cabinet mulls N-act changes. Move to strengthen regulatory & safety measures in reprocessing; Govt. advances N-deal debate, House debate nuke deal today, 06/9/2007.
42. N-Panel device to save govt.; Foreign Minister defends the UPA-Left panel.
43. China had nothing to do with N-deal opposition, CPM clarifies stance in weekly meeting against slander, 08/9/2007.
44. Left digs in its heels on N-deal, 11/9/2007.
45. Govt hints at polls ahead of schedule, Left submits note on N-pact to govt, 15/9/2007.
India could sustain its nuclear program so far without any major setback using uranium fuel cycle. In fact, the country is the achiever in the hi-tech thorium fuel cycle, on its own. So, with or without N-deal there is a bright future for the nuclear power in Indian power mix.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Plant (Japan)–Damage due to earthquake on 16th July, 2007
Earthquake damage to the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station (largest in the world, run by the Tokyo Electric Power Company , Japan) on 16th July 2007 appears to be limited and less than expected, according to an IAEA expert report on the incident. The design of the plant was not qualified to withstand earthquake of 6.8 magnitude that occurred.
In particular, the reactors, Units 3, 4 and 7, which were at full power, were shut down automatically probably due to the conservatisms introduced at different stages of the design process (design safety margins). Safety related structures, systems and components of the plant seem to be in a general apparently good condition, much better than might be expected for such a strong earthquake, and there is no visible significant damage, the report stated.
While the plant's nuclear components appear to be in a satisfactory state, non-safety related structures, systems and components were affected by significant damage such as soil and anchorage failures and oil leakages. There were two minor releases of radioactive material occurred after the quake. The first one was a release of radioactive material from the main turbine condenser through the main stack and the other was some leakage of contaminated water from the spent fuel pool to a non-controlled area, which was later pumped to sea. It was noted that there was some delay in reporting the releases to the authorities.
Some of the suggestions made in the report are: i) a re-evaluation of the seismic safety the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa NPP using updated criteria and methods and addressing the issue of the potential existence of active faults underneath the site, ii) the potential interaction between large seismic events and accelerated ageing to be considered in future inspection programmes and iii) communication of the investigation findings and lessons learned to other nuclear operators, regulators and technical support organizations.
In particular, the reactors, Units 3, 4 and 7, which were at full power, were shut down automatically probably due to the conservatisms introduced at different stages of the design process (design safety margins). Safety related structures, systems and components of the plant seem to be in a general apparently good condition, much better than might be expected for such a strong earthquake, and there is no visible significant damage, the report stated.
While the plant's nuclear components appear to be in a satisfactory state, non-safety related structures, systems and components were affected by significant damage such as soil and anchorage failures and oil leakages. There were two minor releases of radioactive material occurred after the quake. The first one was a release of radioactive material from the main turbine condenser through the main stack and the other was some leakage of contaminated water from the spent fuel pool to a non-controlled area, which was later pumped to sea. It was noted that there was some delay in reporting the releases to the authorities.
Some of the suggestions made in the report are: i) a re-evaluation of the seismic safety the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa NPP using updated criteria and methods and addressing the issue of the potential existence of active faults underneath the site, ii) the potential interaction between large seismic events and accelerated ageing to be considered in future inspection programmes and iii) communication of the investigation findings and lessons learned to other nuclear operators, regulators and technical support organizations.
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