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3rd India Nuclear Energy Summit

3rd – 4th October, 2013, Mumbai, India

Noppen along with Power Age Engineering Consultancy (Strategic Partner) and Nuclear Law Association of India (Association Partner) hosted the third edition of the India Energy Summit on 3rd- 4th October 2013 at the Hilton Hotel in Mumbai. The congress illustrated India’s latest industrial policies, advanced technology solutions for the nuclear power industry and the most up-to-date reports on major nuclear power projects in India.

This Summit was supported by prestigious companies like Syscom Instruments, Sulzer Pumps, Anupam Industries, Kirloskar Brothers, Pall Corporation India, Altran, Aveva, Mirion Toshniwal, Hydratight, Stros, Regada, Berwicks, Balmer Lawrie, Bopp & Reuther, Forbes Marshall and Sanlar- Imex. Senior management from the likes of Department of Atomic Energy, Energy Planning Commission, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Nuclear Power Cooperation of India, Heavy Water Board, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd., (BHAVINI), IGCAR, NFC, Uranium Corporation of India, Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission and Larsen & Toubro attended the two day Summit.

The event kick started with Mr. Arun Srivastava, Secretary for Atomic Energy Commission & Member of Strategic Planning Group, Department of Atomic Energy discussing the nuclear power scenario in India. He began by outlining all the reactors under construction and the ones to be commissioned and also pointed out that use of electricity and economic developments go hand in hand. He believes that India today has no option but to exploit all sources of energy to have affordable power generation capacity – be it solar, nuclear, coal, oil, gas, hydro or others. He ended his presentation by mentioning that international cooperation for continuous technological improvement and strong political support can guarantee steady growth and development.

Mr. G. Nageswara Rao, Director of Operations of NPCIL provided an outstanding keynote speech emphasizing the ever-growing capacities and dedication of NPCIL to operate and develop safe and sustainable nuclear energy in India. His presentation followed by Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Distinguished Scientist and Chairman & Managing Director of BHAVINI who presented the role and the contribution of PFBR to Indian Industries on the way to achieve closed fuel cycle objective of India.

Mr. Joachim Schulz, Vice President of Market Support Functions for Sulzer Pumps gave a detailed description of a variety of pumps used in a turbine island which are also being used for chemical & volume control systems in reactors all over the world such the Olkiluoto 3 in Finland where they are also reputed for their excellent after sale maintenance and support services.

Mr. V.P. Raja, Chairman of Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission, analyzed the current energy scenario and gave various examples to demonstrate the strategic role of Nuclear Energy in the energy mix and led the way to the following discussion panel which laid emphasis on the need for international collaboration for speedy growth of nuclear power in India. This discussion was moderated by Mr. Shah Nawaz Ahmad, Senior Advisor for World Nuclear Association and the panelists were Mr. Ismail Khan, Adviser for Planning Commission of India; Mr. Rajendra Shrivastav, Managing Director, Nuclear Business for Alstom India and Mr. Mohit Abraham, Partner from PXV Law Partners.

After the lunch Mr. Preman Dinaraj, Director of Finance for Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) spoke about the key challenges faced for acquiring finance for nuclear plants. His presentation clearly showcased on Nuclear power being economically competitive however operational risks such as designs, licensing and cost uncertainty leads to delay. This delay eventually starts increasing the capital cost and is viewed as financial liability. His presentation is followed by two expert`s presentations, Mr. Anand Ghare, Former Senior Executive Director, Projects of NPCIL on procurement of special equipment and Mr. Ravindra Ulangwar, Associate Vice President - Power Sector of Kirloskar Brothers Ltd on pumps and pumping systems for nuclear power projects.

Tea Break followed with a presentation from another industry veteran, Dr. A. K. Sarangi, General Manager for Corporate Planning from the Uranium Corporation of India. He shared his thoughts on uranium production since 1940s and on all existing mines in the country as well as the upcoming exploration facilities around the world. He spoke about the increase in the demand for uranium due to India’s expanding nuclear power programme. He also pointed that in order to meet India’s requirement for uranium, the government must establish long term contracts with international producers.

Last discussion panel of the day was focused on reality check if India`s set objectives of generating 25% of electricity from nuclear power by 2050 and reaching 20 GW Nuclear Power By 2020 were achievable with the current status quo. Panel participants Mr. Surendra Sharma, Former Chairman & Chief Executive of Heavy Water Board, Mr. N. Saibaba, Distinguished Scientist – Chief Executive of Nuclear Fuel Complex, Mr. P. D. Sharma, Consulting Engineer (Nuclear Power), Former DS and Senior Executive Director of NPCIL and Mr. Dipankar Bandyopadhyay, Co-Member on the Governing Board of Nuclear Law Association India also discussed impact of the Nuclear Liability Law, development of three stage nuclear program and fuel reserves with enlightening presentations.

Day 1 ended with the closing remarks of the chairman of the summit, Mr. A.K. Anand, Former Director For The Reactor Projects Group of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre whom also made opening remarks on the Day 2 morning summarizing the lively interactions took place on the first day of the event.

Day 2 of the Summit focused on safety concerns and latest regulation polices. It commenced with the presentations of Mr. Kocherry Sebastian, Managing Director of Power Age Engineering Consultants detailing challenges of Nuclear Power and Mr. P. R. Krishnamurthy, Director of Operating Plant Safety Division for Atomic Energy Regulatory Board presenting the evolution of safety regulations of Indian plants beginning with Dr. Homi Bhabha (also known as the father of Indian Nuclear programme) setting up the first nuclear safety committee. Safety regulations have undergone a drastic change post Fukushima incident in 2011 and thanks to very well regulated and implemented nuclear power plants no accidents took place in India.

Another interesting presentation was made by Mr. Werner Bolleter, Strategic Marketing Manager with Syscom instruments. He stressed on the importance of vibration and seismic monitoring equipments and how MARMOT seismic monitoring and trip system designed by Syscom perfectly responds to the increasing safety demand in vulnerable industries such as Nuclear power plants and nuclear storage facilities.

Bhopal gas tragedy was reminded by Dr. K.K. Maudar, Director of Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre and the current guidelines of managing of such disaster was presented. Later Mr. Syed Ali, Power Generation Group Manager of Pall India Private Limited provided a technical presentation to introduce Pall`s Vacuum Dehydration Mass Transfer Oil Purifier.

Before the lunch break Mr. Adwait D. Paranjpe, General Manager, Nuclear Power Plant Equipment Business, Heavy Engineering of Larsen & Toubro Limited shared insight on indigenous capabilities of L&T and advances in nuclear equipment manufacture.

After the lunch Mr. Chakrapani Mishra, Senior Solutions Manager of Altran Technologies India presented many visual examples of their engineering solutions for risk mitigation in spent nuclear fuel management. His presentation was followed by Dr. K.C. Pillai, Former Head – Health Physics Division of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre whom updated the participants on recent recommendations of ICRP for radiation exposure control.

The Summit came to a close with a full room where 7 eminent panelists provided a exclusive panel discussion to the audience sharing insights on ways to enhance public confidence in nuclear power. Distinguished speakers like Mr. S. Duraisamy, Vice Chairman of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Mr. Ravi Shankar, Head, Out Reach Programmes, PAD, from Department Of Atomic Energy, Mr. S.K. Tapkir, Executive Director (R&R), from NPCIL, Mr. P. Selvaraj, Associate Director, Reactor Assembly Group of IGCAR, Mr. Anand Ghare, Former Senior Executive Director - Projects from NPCIL and Mr. K.V. Subramanian, General Manager of TATA Consulting Engineers Limited focused on the importance of developing transparent and compliant nuclear energy programs, responsibilities and obstacles, factor critical for expeditious completion of projects, the technical support to be developed in-house, life extension of old plants and meeting current safety standards were discussed through presentations. Panel and active participation of audience was very exclusively coordinated by the chairperson of the panel, Mr. S.K. Mehta, Former Director, RG, of BARC & Advisor of AERB.

3rd India Nuclear Energy Summit successfully finalized by the Chairman, Mr. A.K. Anand, thanking all the participants for their commitments and contributions alongside with his best wishes to meet in 2014.

3rd India Nuclear Energy Summit

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