BHARAT SMALL REACTORS (BSRs)

The significance of nuclear energy in India's energy mix is emphasized in the Union Budget 2024–2025, notably with regard to Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The commercial sector and the government will collaborate to build Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs).

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

SMRs are scaled-down versions of traditional nuclear power plants, designed to offer enhanced safety features with fewer operating components.

• Purpose: SMRs are reactors with a capacity of less than 300 MW. The goal is to develop these smaller reactors into efficient, small-scale nuclear power facilities.

• Need: SMRs are being considered as a supplementary option to existing power generation systems, including current nuclear plants.

• Capacity: These advanced reactors can generate up to 300 MW(e) per unit.

• Global Landscape: Over 80 SMR designs and concepts exist worldwide, with most still in various stages of development.

Bharat Small Reactors

Compact nuclear reactors designed to generate electricity on a smaller scale compared to traditional large nuclear power plants.

Technology Basis:

• Based on India's 220-megawatt pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology.

• 16 PHWR units are already operational in India.

Key Innovation:

• Partnership with the private sector for development and deployment.

• Historic shift from the Atomic Energy Act of 1962, which previously did not allow private sector participation in nuclear energy.

Need of Bharat Small Reactors

Advantages Over Conventional Plants:

• Flexibility: More adaptable to various sites.

• Deployment: Faster to deploy than large-scale reactors.

• Cost: Potentially more cost-effective.

Applications:

• Useful for providing power to remote areas.

• Can serve as captive power units for large industries such as cement and steel.

Global Context:

• Aligns with global trends towards small modular reactors (SMRs).

• Distinct from SMRs, as BSRs use existing PHWR technology rather than entirely new, factory-made designs.

Clean Energy Options

Future Plans:

• Research and development of Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMRs) announced.

• BSMR design ongoing at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) in Mumbai.

Broader Strategy:

• Part of India's effort to diversify its energy mix and transition to cleaner energy sources.

• Nuclear power considered a viable alternative to thermal power for providing baseload electricity.

Challenges and Considerations:

• Integration into the electricity grid may take several years.

• New policies and legal frameworks needed to support private sector involvement.

• Addressing safety concerns, managing nuclear waste, and aligning with broader energy and environmental goals.

BSRs mark a significant shift in India's nuclear energy policy, with the goal of increasing the versatility and accessibility of nuclear power. With a 3% share in India's overall electricity generation, nuclear energy ranks as the country's fifth-largest electrical source.