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


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 Urban

3i Infotech Reports Rs 7.25 Bn Revenue for FY25

3i Infotech, a leading provider of digital transformation, technology services and technology solutions, announced its consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and full year FY25, ended on March 31st, 2025. The company maintained its growth momentum, displaying consistent progress for the 3rd consecutive quarter.In Q4 FY25, 3i Infotech reported revenue of Rs 1.87 billion, reflecting steady performance compared to Rs 1.81 billion in Q3 FY25 and Rs 1.97 billion in Q4 FY24. The company delivered strong profitability improvements, with gross margin growing by 14.8 per cent Q-o-Q and 1..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Emerald Finance Joins Baya PTE to Boost SME Bill Discounting

Emerald Finance is a dynamic company offering a spectrum of financial products and services including its flagship Earned Wage Access (EWA) in India, has entered into a strategic partnership with Singapore-based Baya PTE through its Indian subsidiary. This collaboration aims to strengthen bill discounting services for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), enabling faster access to working capital and improved cash flow management.The initiative is designed to support SMEs that supply to large corporates such as JSW Steel, Delhivery, and PVR INOX, among others. By facilitating timely invoice dis..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

BLS E-Services Crosses Rs 5 Bn Revenue Mark in FY25

BLS E-Services, a technology-enabled digital service provider, announced its audited consolidated financial results for the quarter and full year period ended 31 March 2025.Speaking about the performance and recent updates, Shikhar Aggarwal, Chairman, BLS E- Services said, “We are delighted to report a remarkable performance in FY25, as we achieved several milestones during the fiscal year. FY25 marked our highest-ever financial performance, as we surpassed Rs 5 billion milestone in Total Income during the year, which was reported at Rs 5.45 billion, a notable YoY growth of 76 per cent. The ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?