Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Nuclear Power Should be Part of Sri Lanka's Future Energy Mix

By Ananda-USA
December 6, 2009

When the Eelam war is ended, Sri Lanka should make nuclear power one component of its energy mix to avoid reliance on imported oil and gas. The other components of the energy strategy should include solar, wind and ocean wave power in addition to hydroelectricity. We should gradually replace fossil fuel powered thermal generation plants with nuclear and renewable energy sources.

Gasoline demand for transportation can be first reduced with plug-in gas-electric hybrid vehicles, and ultimately replaced by all-electric vehicles that can be charged from home electricity supplies. Most people travel only about 75 miles a day to commute to work, and this capability can be provided with current technology. In addition, "charging stations" at which the used battery pack can be either charged in-place, or removed and replaced by a pre-charged battery pack within a few minutes, can be developed to serve a new generation of all-electric vehicles with easily removable battery packs. Within 5 years, battery technology will reduce costs and increase range to such as extent that people will be able to drive to any place in Sri Lanka and return home with one battery charge. This is one of the few advantages of the smallness of Sri Lanka!

Nuclear power generation can be rapidly implemented without opposition from existing nuclear states if we enter into agreements with them to buy fuel rods and return them to the source country for reprocessing. These power plants can replace the current thermal power plants for base load power generation. In the near future, efficient electrolysers and fuel-cells will be available to enable storage of nuclear power plant produced energy in the form of hydrogen for load leveling of fluctuating renewable energy sources and for emissions-free transportation purposes.

India has contracted with Russia to add 4 more nuclear reactors to its power plants in TamilNadu; India, Russia ink 10 cooperation pacts
From IANS, New Delhi
December 05, 2008

India and Russia Friday reinvigorated their ties by signing 10 pacts, including an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation, and decided to intensify their cooperation in combating terrorism.

The pacts were signed in diverse areas ranging from space and defence to finance, human space programme and tourism. The agreements were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The pact on civil nuclear cooperation envisages Russia building four additional reactors at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu.

Medvedev, who arrived here Thursday night on a three-day visit, is the first foreign head of state to visit India after a brazen terror strike in Mumbai killed 172 people, including 22 foreigners.

1 comment:

  1. Energy supply is a major factor for economical growth. Nuclear power could be one of the option but it's not the only one. There are new technologies that will be soon available. For example, an artifificial solar island that could be equivalent to a nuclear plant in terms of power. It will be cheaper and cleaner than a nuclear plant. Solar islands are being developed by the swiss and the first prototype will be set up in the emirates. Go and check on www.solar-islands.com

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