Nuclear Energy-A Boon for our long-term targets

The globe is making reasonable attempts to reduce carbon emissions to near-zero levels of carbon energy. The US Department of Energy reported a big scientific breakthrough earlier this month to harness the long-awaited objective of creating energy through nuclear fusion. This is a momentous announcement after decades of waiting. This fusion energy, which powers the sun and stars, could one day supply a low-cost energy source.
The US Department of Energy reported a big scientific breakthrough earlier this month to harness the long-awaited objective of creating energy through nuclear fusion. After decades, this is a major announcement. This fusion energy is a process that drives the sun and stars, and it could one day supply a cheap energy source. For the first time, scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California produced a net energy gain in a laser-based fusion experiment. In a fusion experiment using lasers, the scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California achieved a net energy gain for the first time.
Nuclear fusion is crucial for the global energy sector since it will revolutionise worldwide energy production capability. This would be the most inexhaustible source of clean and affordable power for the future since it would help India achieve energy independence and meet our clean energy ambitions by lowering reliance on fossil fuels.
The fission reaction occurs when the nucleus of an atom breaks into little nuclei, releasing a massive quantity of energy. Nuclear fusion is the consequence of fusing two or more atomic nuclei to generate and release tremendous energy. It’s a different but more potent means of harnessing the enormous energy locked in an atom’s nucleus.
How would it help India?
India is the only developing country that has generated power using indigenously developed, demonstrated, and installed nuclear reactors. India is third in the world in electricity generation, with 1207 TWh produced. Nuclear energy is the fifth-largest source of electricity in India. India is also eighth in terms of nuclear reactors, with around 23 nuclear reactors in 7 power facilities across the country producing 6780 MW of nuclear power. To increase its atomic power output from 3.2% to 5% by 2031, this growth in nuclear energy contribution in India will help the country lead to a more sustainable and prosperous future.
The Indian Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), which feels that fusion power is a vital component of the country’s long-term energy security, plans to fund a few demonstrators of its own before beginning construction on two 1000 MW grid-connected fusion reactors by 2050.
In contrast to wind and solar, unavailable around the clock, India’s nuclear power might give a reliable solution to the country’s electricity demand. This further reduces India’s contribution to global Green House Gases (GHG), which currently stands at 6.5 percent, with the energy sector accounting for slightly more than two-thirds of it. India’s current nuclear power capacity of 6,790 MW is predicted to rise to 22,480 MW by 2031. This, in turn, will help the government fulfil zero-energy targets and other clean energy sources.