11th Nuclear Energy Conclave

Question: Consider the following statement regarding 11th Nuclear Energy Conclave 2019?
(1) This conclave was held in New Delhi.
(2) The theme of the Conclave was: Economics of Nuclear Power- Innovation towards Safer & Cost Effective Technologies.
From the above, correct statement/s is/are:
(a) Only (1)
(b) Only (2)
(c) Both (1) and (2)
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c)
Related facts:

  • The 11th Nuclear Energy Conclave, organized by the India Energy Forum, was held in New Delhi on 18th October, 2019.
  • The theme of the Conclave was: Economics of Nuclear Power- Innovation towards Safer & Cost Effective Technologies.

Important Facts:

  • The Minister of State for Atomic Energy highlighted some steps taken by the Government with respect to nuclear energy:
  • Earlier the Atomic power plants were restricted in Southern India, now the Government is setting up the nuclear plants in other parts of the country.
  • A nuclear plant is coming up in the Gorakhpur of Haryana.
  • A Hall of Nuclear Energy was opened in Pragati Maidan, Delhi to educate the students and the general public about the applications of nuclear energy.
  • Use of nuclear energy in diverse fields such as medicine, especially cancer care.
  • Other steps highlighted include early movement on Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR) deployment and early deployment of indigenous Light Water Reactors (LWRs).
  • Light-water reactors (LWRs) are power reactors that are cooled and moderated with ordinary water. There are two basic types: the Pressurized-Water Reactor (PWR) and the Boiling-Water Reactor (BWR).
  • PWR is a power reactor in which the heat is dissipated from the core using highly pressurized water (about 160 bar) to achieve a high temperature and avoid boiling within the core.
  • BWR is a nuclear reactor with water as a coolant and as a moderator, boiling in the core. The resulting steam is generally used directly to drive a turbine.
  • It was underlined that owing to the waiver of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to India in 2008, the nuclear programme now has much less constraints.
  • Access to the imported uranium can accelerate the nuclear program size as well as large scale thorium deployment

Links:
http://pibarchive.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=193863
http://indiaenergyforum.org/11th-nuclear-conclave/doc/Nuclear%20Brochure.pdf
https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nuclear-energy-conclave