Abstract: The IPCC has projected that global warming will exceed 1.5°C during this century if immediate actions are not taken to ensure deep GHG emissions reductions starting this decade. Decarbonisation of the electricity sector is critical to achieving Global Net Zero since the contribution of electricity to the World’s final energy consumption is projected to increase by 80 – 150% from the current share of 20% by 2050. The recent uptick in coal consumption in Europe despite the vast additions to solar and wind energy sources indicates the criticality of dispatchable electricity generation to ensure grid stability. Since hydroelectric sources are limited by topography and face social, and environmental issues, the rapid expansion of nuclear energy is critical to ensure grid stability and energy security. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are being developed by several G20 countries to supplement conventional nuclear power plants since SMRs can be installed in decommissioned thermal power plant sites and use the site infrastructure. As per the IEA, less nuclear power would make the journey to net zero more challenging and expensive. Therefore, early leaders in SMR technologies must cooperate with other G20 countries to accelerate SMR deployment worldwide at competitive costs. This talk will identify some of the recent work done by the Energy, Environment, and Climate Change Program in this area with specific reference to India’s energy transition.
About the speaker: Prof Srikanth is the Dean, School of Natural Sciences & Engineering at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) and heads the Energy, Environment, and Climate Change Program. He has a dual Ph.D. in Mining Engineering & Operations Research from the Pennsylvania State University and joined NIAS after serving industry for 20 years, primarily in Tata Steel. After working on policy-focussed research projects on coal sustainability and transition planning for thermal power plants, he is now conducting interdisciplinary research on nuclear power expansion, raw material security, and sustainable development. He works closely with NITI Aayog on clean energy transition and associated policies in addition to his academic role at NIAS.