JODHPUR- Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur propose using offshore wind farms as backup power sources for Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs).
They studied the Madras Atomic Power Station in Chennai, India.
The method involves estimating coolant power needs, designing an offshore wind turbine and its infrastructure, and evaluating seismic safety at the wind turbine site.
The researchers found that a 15 MW offshore wind farm with three 5 MW turbines could provide emergency backup power for NPPs.
They analyzed the wind turbine foundations under dynamic loading and found acceptable seismic performance.
The idea for the research originated in 2011 after the Tohoku earthquake in Japan. It was further developed by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Dammala, a researcher at IIT Jodhpur during his time at the University of Surrey, UK.
The research aims to enhance nuclear structure safety in India, considering the country's pursuit of nuclear energy and the presence of seismic and tsunamic threats.