HYDERABAD, Jan 4: Nuclear power, "green power", wind power and clatharate (gas hydrate) power emerged as the best alternatives to conventional energy sources at the end of the session on "Energy Options for India" at the 85th session of the Indian Science Congress held here today.Of these, nuclear energy appeared to be the most attractive option for developing countries and any growth in a nation's Gross Domestic Product could be anticipated only with an equivalent increase in energy production, Dr R Chidambaram, who chaired the session, said. Hence nuclear and renewable energy sources should be exploited, he said. Chidambaram, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, said the per capita electric consumption in India should go up by at least a factor of eight to 10 to have the lifestyle of a developed nation.He was corroborating the view of Dr Morris Rosen who presented a paper on "Energy Options for India and Relative Risks in Energy Production". Rosen, Advisor for Environmental Matters, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, said the extraordinary high-energy density of nuclear fuel as compared to conventional fossil fuels is an advantageous physical characteristic. Rosen added that while a 1,000 mw coal plant annually produces nearly 22,000 tonnes of nitrous oxides and double the amount of sulphur oxides, a nuclear power plant of the same capacity produces only about 30 tonnes of high-level radioactive spent fuel along with 800 tonnes of low and intermediate level waste.Further, managing nuclear power waste has distinct advantages as the quantities are remarkably small as against the energy produced. In contrast, disposal of large quantities of fossil fuel waste follows a "dispersion strategy" involving the release of noxious gases and pollutants.Prof T R Satish Chandran, former principal secretary to the Prime Minister, speaking on the electric power scenario in India, said a synergy between the private and public sector is necessary that to strike a balance between demand and supply in the power sector."To meet our present demand, we need to step up investment at least three-fold. As this can't be achieved by the government on its own, the private sector should be welcomed," he said. A regulatory body which facilitates better coordination besides easing bottlenecks is also needed, he added.He cited the example of the Orissa Government which first corporatised its electricity board later converting it into a grid and generation company. Depending on the area specific viability, other states could emulate Orissa and provide certain autonomy to the electricity boards.Prof H S Mukunda of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, said bioresidues could be used as a viable power source. Advocating "green power", he said while hydel, hydro and thermal power is suitable for large scale industries, wind power or bioresidual power is best for the small scale and domestic sector. Rice husk, sugarcane trash, branches of wood and even weeds can be used to produce power.C H Surender of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, Mumbai, also advocated the use of nuclear power saying it was the "cheapest source and environmentally benign". India is capable of embarking on major power production plans. The 10 successfully functioning atomic power stations in India are an example, he said.Giving an invited comment on the subject, Prof Bhakta B Rath of the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, said clatharates or gas hydrates is an example of a useful but untapped energy source.Lesser carbon dioxide emissions as compared to other fuels, absence of particulate matter emission, inexpensive purification and indefinite storage stability are some of its advantages, he added.
