Two-way trade in the nuclear power sector between the US and India would make eminent sense. The latest India-US Joint Statement reiterates that Westinghouse Electric Company would help set up six nuclear plants in India.
But Westinghouse has had billions of dollars of cost overruns in its nuclear reactors in the US, and stands to gain from joining hands with Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) to better manage its project implementation.
The fact is that NPCIL has been able to streamline project implementation with standardised designs and equipment, and is implementing at least 10 new pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) nationally.
In sharp contrast, the US, which is building nuclear plants after a long hiatus, seems to have rather rusty expertise when it comes to construction of nuclear power plants.
Last year WEC, owned by private equity firm Brookfield Business Partners, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after design reviews of its new reactor by regulators and huge cost overruns in four nuclear reactors situated in southeast US.
There is much potential for export of India’s indigenous PHWRs, and the Joint Statement rightly calls for India’s “immediate accession” to the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
PHWRs use natural uranium oxide as fuel, doing away with costly enrichment. The newer NPCIL reactors are designed to be larger 700-MW plants, so as to reap economies of scale, and serial production of nuclear components would keep implementation costs relatively low.
Nuclear reactors can provide baseload power at attractive costs; Westinghouse and NPCIL do need to partner in the US, and elsewhere in the world afterwards. The Indo-US nuclear deal can surely benefit both nations in hitherto unexplored ways, for mutual gains.
Georgia Power recently announced continued progress in the construction of the two-reactor expansion to its Plant Vogtle nuclear power plant. Bechtel is proud to partner with Georgia Power to deliver this important project – the only ongoing construction of new nuclear generation currently in the United States.
Vogtle is important because nuclear energy is important. It’s clean, efficient, safe, and must play a role in our energy future.
Understanding the science behind nuclear power is the first step to understanding its important role in our clean energy future.
There are various types of energy used to power our cities to heat and cool our homes. Nuclear is the most misunderstood and nuclear energy is clean energy, meaning it does not release harmful pollutants into the air.
Nuclear power plants split uranium atoms inside a reactor in a process called fission. At a nuclear energy facility, the heat from fission is used to produce steam, which spins a turbine to generate electricity. So, now that you know what nuclear energy is, here is why its important.
Nuclear is the most efficient energy source currently available. Solar, hydro, wind, and geothermal electric sources also are emission-free, but nuclear currently supplies more electricity than all of them combined, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute. Further, nuclear is the only source that can produce large amounts of carbon-free electricity 365 days a year, keeping our electric grids stable, even when the sun is not shining, or the wind is not blowing.
The growing acceptance of electric vehicles such as cars, trucks, mass transit, and even aircraft will further tax the system.
“Nuclear is the only emission-free electricity source, renewable or otherwise, that meets the U.S. energy demands with large-capacity power generation,” said Cathy Otis, senior architect and Women in Nuclear (WIN) board member at Bechtel. “By investing in nuclear power, you are saying ‘yes’ to reducing greenhouse gases and making progress to hit our climate goals.”
Nuclear energy plays an essential role in our climates clean energy future as it emits no greenhouse gases.
In fact, a study by scientists from NASA and Columbia University estimated that nuclear energy has prevented more than 1.8 million deaths due to air pollution between 1971 and 2009 and could prevent 7 million more through 2050.
Not only does nuclear energy protect the climate, it also provides nearly 100,000 high-quality, long-term jobs in the Unites States alone. A nuclear power plant job site can provide high-paying jobs that generate billions of dollars in economic activity along with providing consumers and businesses with reliable electricity at a low cost.
Bechtel has been working on completing the construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4, located in Waynesboro, Georgia. When finished, the four units will be the largest generator of carbon-free electricity in the U.S. It also will have a major economic impact on the state of Georgia, bringing lower rates for customers and creating hundreds of new jobs.
Vogtle’s workforce has reached an all-time high and approximately 8,000 workers are now on site, according to the recent announcement from Georgia Power.