NTPC Explores Stake in US Nuclear Technology Firm CCFE for Energy Security
NTPC in talks to acquire stake in US nuclear tech firm CCFE, boosting India's energy security.
Photo by anik das
NTPC, India's largest power utility, is reportedly in discussions to acquire a stake in the US-based nuclear technology company, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), which is developing compact fusion energy (CCFE) technology. This strategic move underscores India's commitment to exploring advanced and clean energy sources, particularly nuclear fusion, which holds immense potential for sustainable power generation.
Such international collaborations are crucial for technology transfer, enhancing India's energy security, and achieving its climate change mitigation goals. This could position India at the forefront of future energy solutions.
UPSC परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
Science & Technology: Principles of nuclear fusion vs. fission, challenges in fusion research (plasma confinement, high temperatures), types of fusion reactors (Tokamak, Stellarator).
Economy: Role of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like NTPC in strategic sectors, energy security, investment in advanced technologies.
International Relations: Technology transfer, international collaborations (e.g., ITER), India's position in global energy innovation.
Environment & Ecology: Clean energy sources, climate change mitigation, India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and net-zero targets.
दृश्य सामग्री
NTPC-CFS Collaboration: India-US Fusion Energy Partnership
This map illustrates the international collaboration between India (NTPC) and the USA (Commonwealth Fusion Systems - CFS) for advanced nuclear fusion technology, highlighting India's strategic move towards energy security and clean energy innovation.
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और जानकारी
पृष्ठभूमि
नवीनतम घटनाक्रम
बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. Consider the following statements regarding nuclear fusion and fission reactions: 1. Nuclear fusion typically releases significantly more energy per unit mass of fuel compared to nuclear fission. 2. Fission reactions require extremely high temperatures and pressures to initiate, whereas fusion reactions can occur at room temperature. 3. The primary fuels for nuclear fusion, Deuterium and Tritium, are abundant and can be extracted from seawater. 4. Nuclear fission produces long-lived radioactive waste, while fusion reactions produce negligible such waste. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: C
Statement 1 is correct: Fusion releases more energy per unit mass. Statement 2 is incorrect: Fusion requires extremely high temperatures and pressures (millions of degrees Celsius), while fission can be initiated by neutron bombardment at lower temperatures. Statement 3 is incorrect: While Deuterium is abundant in seawater, Tritium is radioactive and scarce, typically bred from Lithium within the reactor. Statement 4 is correct: Fission produces long-lived radioactive waste, whereas fusion produces minimal long-lived waste, mainly from activated reactor components, but not from the fuel itself in the same manner as fission products.
2. In the context of India's energy security and its engagement with advanced nuclear technologies, consider the following statements: 1. India is a full member of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, contributing significantly to its development. 2. India's three-stage nuclear power program primarily aims at utilizing its vast reserves of thorium for power generation. 3. NTPC, being India's largest power utility, is exclusively involved in thermal power generation and does not diversify into nuclear or renewable energy sources. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: A
Statement 1 is correct: India is indeed one of the seven members of the ITER project, contributing both financially and technologically. Statement 2 is correct: The long-term goal of India's three-stage nuclear power program is to use its abundant thorium reserves to generate energy, after initial stages based on natural uranium and plutonium. Statement 3 is incorrect: While NTPC is primarily known for thermal power, it has been actively diversifying into renewable energy (solar, wind) and is now exploring nuclear energy (both fission and fusion) to meet India's clean energy goals and expand its portfolio.
3. Which of the following is NOT a significant challenge in developing commercially viable nuclear fusion power plants?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: C
Statements A, B, and D are significant challenges. Achieving and sustaining extremely high temperatures (A) and maintaining stable plasma confinement (B) are fundamental scientific and engineering hurdles. Managing neutron radiation and material degradation (D) is a major engineering challenge for reactor longevity and safety. Statement C is NOT a significant challenge because Deuterium is abundant in seawater, and Tritium, though scarce naturally, can be bred from readily available Lithium within the fusion reactor itself, making fuel scarcity not a primary hurdle for long-term operation.
4. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below: List-I (Concept/Institution) (A) Tokamak (B) PHWR (C) ITER (D) BARC List-II (Associated with) 1. India's 3-stage nuclear power program 2. Magnetic confinement fusion 3. International fusion research project 4. Nuclear fuel cycle research and development Code:
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: A
A) Tokamak: A device that uses a powerful magnetic field to confine plasma in a toroidal (doughnut-shaped) chamber, used in magnetic confinement fusion research (2). B) PHWR (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor): A type of nuclear fission reactor that forms the backbone of the first stage of India's 3-stage nuclear power program (1). C) ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor): A large-scale international scientific collaboration aiming to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power (3). D) BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre): India's premier nuclear research facility, involved in various aspects of nuclear science, including nuclear fuel cycle research and development (4).