Energy’s Next Generation: Nuclear Plant Stabilization Called for by Russian Scientist Vladimir Ale

Russian scientist and nuclear non-proliferation expert Vladimir Alexeyevich Smirnov calls for improved control measures for nuclear plants.

Last week Japan announced a much-needed timeline for addressing the recent disaster that took place at the Fukushima Diichi nuclear plant after the country’s devastating 8.9 earthquake caused cooling problems to one of its nuclear reactors. The Japanese government also indicated that it would implement temperature control measures for reactors at the damaged facility. Japan should look toward Russia for help in securing its nuclear facilities. This is because the responsible use of nuclear energy has been at the forefront of Russian scientist Vladimir Alexeyevich Smirnov’s research. 

Vladimir Alexeyevich Smirnov, has led research and development in the responsible and sustainable use of nuclear energy, and has called for the safe use of nuclear power for several decades, starting at his tenure as Director General of Russia’s Technabexport (“TENEX”). Vladimir Alexeyevich Smirnov gleaned insight into the inner workings of nuclear power through his participation in a lucrative contract between TENEX and U.S. Enrichment Corporation (USEC Inc.) Through the program, the U.S. and Russia operated Megatons to Megawatts, former Russian nuclear bombs were converted into usable energy in America. The impact of the program, Vladimir Alexeyevich Smirnov pointed out, was security: that is, to eliminate nuclear warheads. And through the program, 414 metric tons of bomb-grade HEU was recycled into 11,966 metric tons of LEU.

But eliminating nuclear warheads isn’t the only benefit of Vladimir Alexeyevich Smirnov’s work in the area of nuclear energy. Perhaps even more importantly, the Megatons to Megawatts program forged strong relations between the U.S. and Russia, paving the way for stronger political and economic ties between the two countries. Because of these ties, Russia is now able to form new allies with additional countries, most recently Germany.

The relationship between Russia and Germany is vital for both countries for several reasons.  Nuclear energy makes up a quarter of German electricity. And Russia has hopes that as Germany moves to phase out nuclear energy by 2022, it will need more gas to make up for the shortage, as reported by The New York Times.