India's Nuclear needs

[rajivshokeen]

Hello everybody,

Every now and then I come across that India is incresingly pursuing nuclear fuel from US, France, Britain etc.
Though United States has lifted curbs on exports to six Indian nuclear facilities (which came right after 1998 nuclear test), its still going to take some time as the proposal has to be passed through US Congress where Bush is going to make case for India an exceptional one.

But what could be the other alternatives?
*So far combined cycle power plants - using gas and steam turbines are easiest to build and have highest efficiency and lowest pollution rates.
*Tapping to various energy resources from within the country could be other alternative.
*It will be a huge plus if there can be some sort of joint effort between NRI engineers+scientist and that of India for help introducing new technologies(Came across an article regarding the new state-of-art solar-cell technology developed in US that uses solar cells on flat panels that can produce electricity at high-wattages.) without voilating the technology transfer issues.

Please throw your ideas on India's nuclear needs, facts about limited resources, extent of problem and pursuing techniques. Atlast, I believe under a good command of Dr. Manmohan Singh, India is looking beyond Pakistan issues and thinking ahead of time.

Regards,
Rajiv Shokeen

 

[ravichaud]

I think this is a good concept. A single, localized effort by NRIs directly with Indian Officials may yield initial benefits. That's a great idea. However, this may pose a conflict of interest with export control laws of both countries, and may cause a political rift that my hinder the overall goal, and progress already made. Especially when we are talking about critical technologies like energy.

Patience may be an option here. India sent a strong message to the world by electing their chief finanical minister (and economic revolutionary) as prime minister. India has shown it can look past regional conflicts and is well on its way to becoming a super power. A very strong message of trust came from the U.S. with the sharing of civil nuclear technology. India is enjoying unprecedented economic growth, exceeding GDP of 6% per year. Peachy picture, but there is always something we can do to help...

If you are still inclined toward action, political lobby may be the strongest road here. Develop the technical goal, then assemble a diverse group of scientists, lobbyists and lawyers. Then take your issues to the hill. Appeal to Indian American government officials to open doors. Indian American political influence is growing. Use it to your advantage.

In short: Work within the U.S. and Indian system to help increase the growth/relationship we are already enjoying

 

[rkumar]

Energy security is the most important issue in front of every government today. Wisdom demands that we optimise the use of every possible form of energy. Not only producing power, saving power is equally important. My views on the subject are;

1. House and office designs should be such that we can use day light as much as possible without requiring electic light. Working hours in all offices should be according to maximum day light.

2. There is lot of work which in almost all government offices can be conducted without going to office. This will save lots of petrol and travel time. Government work can be outsourced from individuals sitting at their homes and they can be paid as per work and not as per hours spent on work.

3. India should make maximum use of solar power. We should invest most in economic solar electricity production technologies.

4. Every farmer should be encouraged to make use of gobar gas. Every village should have community toilets. Human excreta should be used to produce cooking gas.

5. India must create water reservoirs in Himaliyan foot hills. This would amount to storing potential energy in water height. This water can be released as per irrigational needs. This will save us lot of electricity which we are wasting in pumping out the ground water.

6. We must analyse every human activity and energy audit it. I am sure lot can be save here.

Personally I have stopped worrying about energy issue as I strongly believe that humanity has survived and progressed without any major conventional energy needs for thousands of years. My personal effort will be to produce all my energy needs and depend every little on commercial electricity. This is on the top of my agneda.

RK^2