Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Fear about Nuclear Energy:By Deccan Chronicle
Nuclear energy comes fraught with hazards. There is thus an urgent need to build dependable, renewable energy models.
It was in 1986, when the chernobyl nuclear accident occurred in Russia and yet a research team of green watchdog greenpeace found that samples of food produced in that area still show traces of radioactivity 25 years after the disaster. This year japan shouted SOS for the severity level at its crippled Fukushima Dai-iachi nuclear complex. The authorities cited cumulative radiation leaks that had contaminated the air, tap water, vegetables and seawater. Though countries across the globe from the USA to Iran to India maintain that nuclear contamination from energy plants at times leading to highly radioactive water in tunnels outside the plant, plutonium in near by soil samples and spikes in levels of radioactive iodine in seawater pose no new risks to the public, experts don't deny the damage that nuclear reactors pose to humankind.
"The risks from nuclear energy are real, inherent and long lasting. The idea that nuclear accidents are rare is a myth. In fact, one can find a nuclear accident for every day of the year. Mayaak, Three Mile Island, Tokaimura, Chernobyl, Bhunice, Forsmark, Fukushima the history of nuclear power is littered with accidents and incidents. Since chernobyl, nearly 800 significant mishaps and accidents were officially reported to the international Atomic Energy Agency," says Karuna Raina,
Nuclear and Energy campaigner, Greenpeace India. On the other hand is the dire need for countries to have asteady power supply to deliver growth. "India alone foresees the need to add an installed power capacity of 600GW by 2030. Also considering the limited coal resources the country has, India depends on different methods thermal, hydro, nuclear and renewable to generate energy," says Dr Ritu Mathur, Associate Director, Modelling and Economic Analysis Division, The Energy & Resources institute. Calling nuclear energy crucial for India, Dr Mathur, an energy expert, however, recognises the lessons global nuke disasters have left behind. "We need to build nuke plants only where seismic and other factors permit. Alternatively, there is an urgent need to build a dependable renewable energy model. India is already taking steps towards solar and wind energy models, but it must now put more weight behind these," She says.
Global action has already begun, with wind power alone accounting for approximately 19% of electricity generated in Denmark, 9% in spain and portugal, and 6% in Germany and the Republic of Ireland. Back home, apart from the new and a few upcoming solar and wind energy plants in India, bodies like TERI with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy are taking innovative steps to design renewable energy based mini-smart grids. one such mini grid now exists in Gurgaon, Haryana. Though lighter on power generation, these innovative attempts are important if India needs to accomplish its clean energy dream, and avoid ending up on a list with Chernobyl and Fukushima.
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It was in 1986, when the chernobyl nuclear accident occurred in Russia and yet a research team of green watchdog greenpeace found that samples of food produced in that area still show traces of radioactivity 25 years after the disaster. This year japan shouted SOS for the severity level at its crippled Fukushima Dai-iachi nuclear complex. The authorities cited cumulative radiation leaks that had contaminated the air, tap water, vegetables and seawater. Though countries across the globe from the USA to Iran to India maintain that nuclear contamination from energy plants at times leading to highly radioactive water in tunnels outside the plant, plutonium in near by soil samples and spikes in levels of radioactive iodine in seawater pose no new risks to the public, experts don't deny the damage that nuclear reactors pose to humankind.
"The risks from nuclear energy are real, inherent and long lasting. The idea that nuclear accidents are rare is a myth. In fact, one can find a nuclear accident for every day of the year. Mayaak, Three Mile Island, Tokaimura, Chernobyl, Bhunice, Forsmark, Fukushima the history of nuclear power is littered with accidents and incidents. Since chernobyl, nearly 800 significant mishaps and accidents were officially reported to the international Atomic Energy Agency," says Karuna Raina,
Nuclear and Energy campaigner, Greenpeace India. On the other hand is the dire need for countries to have asteady power supply to deliver growth. "India alone foresees the need to add an installed power capacity of 600GW by 2030. Also considering the limited coal resources the country has, India depends on different methods thermal, hydro, nuclear and renewable to generate energy," says Dr Ritu Mathur, Associate Director, Modelling and Economic Analysis Division, The Energy & Resources institute. Calling nuclear energy crucial for India, Dr Mathur, an energy expert, however, recognises the lessons global nuke disasters have left behind. "We need to build nuke plants only where seismic and other factors permit. Alternatively, there is an urgent need to build a dependable renewable energy model. India is already taking steps towards solar and wind energy models, but it must now put more weight behind these," She says.
Global action has already begun, with wind power alone accounting for approximately 19% of electricity generated in Denmark, 9% in spain and portugal, and 6% in Germany and the Republic of Ireland. Back home, apart from the new and a few upcoming solar and wind energy plants in India, bodies like TERI with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy are taking innovative steps to design renewable energy based mini-smart grids. one such mini grid now exists in Gurgaon, Haryana. Though lighter on power generation, these innovative attempts are important if India needs to accomplish its clean energy dream, and avoid ending up on a list with Chernobyl and Fukushima.
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