IIT Jodhpur emphasises on cooling power in nuclear power plants safety
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

IIT Jodhpur emphasises on cooling power in nuclear power plants safety

In light of historical nuclear disasters, a team of international researchers led by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur has recognised the importance of cooling power sources for the safety of nuclear power plants. They have proposed the use of offshore wind farms as seismically resilient alternative power sources. The researchers demonstrated the viability of this approach by utilising sustainable wind power to enhance the reliability of cooling power at the Madras Atomic Power Station in Chennai.

The proposed methodology, outlined in an article published in the journal Nuclear Engineering and Design, consists of several stages. It begins with estimating the coolant power requirements of nuclear reactors, followed by designing an offshore wind turbine and its associated infrastructure. Subsequently, a seismic safety evaluation is conducted for the chosen offshore wind turbine site, considering various scenario levels.

The team of researchers, which includes experts from the University of Surrey in the UK, Tsinghua University, and the Institute of Engineering Mechanics in China, suggests the implementation of a 15 MW offshore wind farm with three NREL 5 MW turbines supported by monopile foundations in the Kalpakkam area. This setup could serve as an additional emergency backup power source to meet the cooling power needs of existing nuclear power plants.

The monopile foundation of the offshore wind turbines is analysed under anticipated dynamic loading conditions, taking into account soil nonlinearity and seismic liquefaction using advanced numerical models. The results of the nonlinear integrated seismic analyses indicate that the proposed offshore wind turbines exhibit satisfactory seismic performance when comparing the monopile mudline displacements and bending moments.

Dr Pradeep Kumar Dammala, Assistant Professor at the Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, IIT Jodhpur, emphasised the significance of enhancing the safety of nuclear structures in India due to the country's pursuit of nuclear energy development and the presence of seismic and tsunami threats in close proximity. He stated that the suggested approach presented an excellent framework for evaluating the seismic resilience of nuclear power plants and integrating wind energy sources during interconnected events like earthquakes and tsunamis.

India has seven Nuclear Power Plants, with five situated in seismically active zones III and IV, and three located in coastal areas susceptible to hazards such as tsunamis and cyclones. The Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam, which houses two 220 MW FBRs, serves as an example of a nuclear power plant in a vulnerable area.

Also Read
Government of Himachal Pradesh invites tenders for Civil Works
PVVNL invites bids for electrical works in Moradabad Zone


Redefine the future of urban mobility! Join us at the Metro Rail Conference 2025 to explore groundbreaking ideas and insights. 👉 Register today!

In light of historical nuclear disasters, a team of international researchers led by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur has recognised the importance of cooling power sources for the safety of nuclear power plants. They have proposed the use of offshore wind farms as seismically resilient alternative power sources. The researchers demonstrated the viability of this approach by utilising sustainable wind power to enhance the reliability of cooling power at the Madras Atomic Power Station in Chennai. The proposed methodology, outlined in an article published in the journal Nuclear Engineering and Design, consists of several stages. It begins with estimating the coolant power requirements of nuclear reactors, followed by designing an offshore wind turbine and its associated infrastructure. Subsequently, a seismic safety evaluation is conducted for the chosen offshore wind turbine site, considering various scenario levels. The team of researchers, which includes experts from the University of Surrey in the UK, Tsinghua University, and the Institute of Engineering Mechanics in China, suggests the implementation of a 15 MW offshore wind farm with three NREL 5 MW turbines supported by monopile foundations in the Kalpakkam area. This setup could serve as an additional emergency backup power source to meet the cooling power needs of existing nuclear power plants. The monopile foundation of the offshore wind turbines is analysed under anticipated dynamic loading conditions, taking into account soil nonlinearity and seismic liquefaction using advanced numerical models. The results of the nonlinear integrated seismic analyses indicate that the proposed offshore wind turbines exhibit satisfactory seismic performance when comparing the monopile mudline displacements and bending moments. Dr Pradeep Kumar Dammala, Assistant Professor at the Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, IIT Jodhpur, emphasised the significance of enhancing the safety of nuclear structures in India due to the country's pursuit of nuclear energy development and the presence of seismic and tsunami threats in close proximity. He stated that the suggested approach presented an excellent framework for evaluating the seismic resilience of nuclear power plants and integrating wind energy sources during interconnected events like earthquakes and tsunamis. India has seven Nuclear Power Plants, with five situated in seismically active zones III and IV, and three located in coastal areas susceptible to hazards such as tsunamis and cyclones. The Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam, which houses two 220 MW FBRs, serves as an example of a nuclear power plant in a vulnerable area. Also Read Government of Himachal Pradesh invites tenders for Civil WorksPVVNL invites bids for electrical works in Moradabad Zone

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

TDB Plans Solar Power Plant Installation at Sabarimala

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is planning to establish a solar energy plant with technical assistance from Cochin International Airport (CIAL), recognised as the world’s first fully solar-powered airport. TDB officials stated that a meeting was held with S Suhas, Managing Director, CIAL, at Sannidhanam to discuss the initiative. TDB President P S Prasanth mentioned that the discussion was preliminary in nature. He further informed that CIAL is preparing the detailed project report (DPR) and providing technical guidance for the project. Prasanth also revealed that the TDB intends to fu..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Reliance Back on Growth Path, Multiple Catalysts to Drive Performance

Reliance Industries, India’s most valuable company, has returned to a growth trajectory after six months of challenges, as it reported better-than-expected earnings for the December quarter, according to brokerages. The oil-to-telecom-and-retail conglomerate achieved its highest-ever EBITDA of Rs 438 billion during October-December 2024, the third quarter of the FY25 fiscal, surpassing estimates due to strong performances across all segments. This growth was notably driven by the robust performance of its oil-to-chemical (O2C) segment and a recovery in consumer retail. "Reliance is back on..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Hyderabad Airport Metro MD Inspects Medchal and Shamirpet Rail Corridors

NVS Reddy, Managing Director of Hyderabad Airport Metro (HAML), alongside senior engineers and technical consultants, inspected the Metro Rail corridors to Medchal and Shamirpet to resolve technical alignment issues, according to an official press release. Due to the steep curvature of the road from Paradise to Bowenpally and airport authorities’ insistence, the HMDA elevated corridor’s alignment passes below the runway of Begumpet Airport for about 600 metres through a tunnel. However, integrating the Metro Rail corridor with this plan poses significant engineering challenges. To addr..

Hi There!

"Now get regular updates from CW Magazine on WhatsApp!

Join the CW WhatsApp channel for the latest news, industry events, expert insights, and project updates from the construction and infrastructure industry.

Click the link below to join"

+91 81086 03000