In reference to September and October posts from kremlin.ru on Putin meetings with the Kurchatov Institute (Russian National Research Center) head in September and the Rosatom CEO in October
http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/75163:
Meeting with Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev Vladimir Putin had a meeting with Director General of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Alexei Likhachev.**
October 15, 2024
13:55
The Kremlin, Moscow
Likhachev: Mr President, your instruction to generate 25 percent of all electricity nationwide from nuclear power is being fulfilled. I would like to highlight the significant work underway by the Ministry of Energy, which has already developed a new general plan. It is important to note that Rosatom has not only provided a strong technological solution but has also led the way in terms of cost-efficiency. This is primarily due to the long lifecycle of nuclear power plants. In fact, we are being conservative when we state that it is 60 years, as these plants are expected to operate much longer. However, for legal reasons, we currently cannot state more than 60 years.
Mr President, we regularly provide updates within the framework of the Future Technologies Forum about our extensive initiatives to lay the foundation for tomorrow’s technologies.
As you may recall, a year ago, we discussed quanta and presented a 16-qubit quantum processor. Now, it has advanced to a 50-qubit quantum processor. We have undoubtedly progressed from lagging behind to being among the top five countries. In fact, only two countries are developing all four platforms: us and the United States of America.
Significant efforts are made to create ultra-fast computing platforms, both in terms of today’s supercomputers and advancements in photonics. In general, not only through the enhancement of computing capacities but also through novel physical principles, we will, of course, achieve the goal of creating supercomputing power.
Of course, it is impossible to have leadership in space exploration without nuclear technologies. We are working with Roscosmos in this field. Plasma rocket engines are part of our national project. Unlike gas-dynamic engines, they boast an entirely different efficiency, completely different fuel consumption volumes, and it is virtually impossible to explore space without them.
Vladimir Putin: Manoeuvring, orbit-changing.
Alexei Likhachev: Orbit-changing, manoeuvring and, of course, deep-space missions. This groundwork is unparalleled and very few countries can compete with us here.
Meeting with Head of the Kurchatov Institute Mikhail Kovalchuk
Head of the National Research Center Kurchatov Institute Mikhail Kovalchuk informed the President about the centre’s ongoing operations.
September 23, 2024 13:50
The Kremlin, Moscow
Mikhail Kovalchuk: Still, we have developed a unique simulator, an exact replica. You sit in the cabin, descend, and experience a real-life simulation. This simulator is truly unparalleled.
In addition to that, we were fully in charge of bringing things up to code in the Arctic, rehabilitation, as I reported to you earlier. We have developed a whole new type of nuclear power. Here is the battery. We have the Yelena plant, a factory-built battery, which generates up to 1 megawatt of electricity and up to 15 megawatts of heat. These local plants do the job in the Arctic where there are no major consumers and no chance to build a grid or a major power plant.
We signed an agreement with Yakutia. I recently met with [Aisen] Nikolayev, the head of the republic, regarding the development efforts. This is the legacy from the past. In Soviet times, this plant was built in its first iteration in Yakutia. After the Soviet Union collapsed, it all came to an end. We have moved to a whole new level in terms of safety and other aspects, and are now moving forward. Gazprom is interested in having it for developing remote fields. This programme is underway.
Moreover, nuclear energy in outer space traditionally involves direct energy conversion. You appointed me as head of the direct conversion area which is a top priority.
What is direct conversion all about? Currently, reactor heat is converted into steam, which makes turbines rotate. This is not direct conversion. Direct conversion involves thermoelectric elements, specific substance. You surround the plant with these elements some of which are hot, and others are cold, and the heat gets converted into electricity without any moving parts or anything.
This is the essence of all spacecraft propulsion systems. We have been addressing this issue for many years. Today, the entire space exploration is linked to two key aspects. The first is entirely new engines. If we think about this, as you and I discussed some time ago, we will see that we fly into space, much like Baron Munchausen, on a cannonball. Our RD-180 engine operates for 300 seconds, providing an impulse that kick-starts a rocket, allowing us to fly along ballistic trajectories, but we are unable to adjust them. But we need to land on the Moon. We have now developed prototype engines that offer an entirely different thrust and completely new opportunities for deep-space missions. This is the first aspect.
For example, we have developed a lunar station that functions as a prototype Selena battery. We are now focusing on one thing at a time and trying to promote it as much as possible.
The same applies to materials. Thanks to your decisions, our institute now possesses the world’s largest materials science potential. Absolutely everything that flies has been developed at the Institute of Aviation Materials, which is part of the Kurchatov Institute.
We are now establishing an integrated materials science centre that will include the Prometei Institute and the All-Russian Institute of Aviation Materials, as their equipment is one and the same, and Rosatom has consistent requirements.
We are often asked about our priorities. We have only two, or perhaps three, priorities, but we focus on the first two. First, any human thought that is generated emerges in the form of materials. For example, when a person conceives a picture, they need paints, canvas, an easel, etc. to create it. A person who has conceived a melody needs a grand piano, or another musical instrument, as well as sheet music and ink. Essentially, any item is a material, and energy is needed to create a material. Thus, energy and materials are two eternal civilisational priorities.
Vladimir Putin: What about the soul?
Mikhail Kovalchuk: You are absolutely right. The soul and intellect are the third priority. This is it. I believe that our three priorities are among the best in the world because we would not have made it into outer space if we were unable to create this, nor would we have succeeded in establishing the nuclear power industry. This is a result. Therefore, I believe that our current situation is good.
Speaking of global issues, I would like to discuss with you the details of a possible breakthrough in certain spheres that we have prepared.
I would like to remind you that, in 2008, we launched a pilot project to establish the first national laboratories of the Kurchatov Institute in accordance with your executive order, and we started incorporating other organisations. Now, fifteen years on, I am ready to report to you on our achievements, and how we are preparing to take the next leap.
Vladimir Putin: Good.
