From Canada To India: Engineer Sagarkumar Soni On Global Challenges & New Technologies In Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is gaining momentum again in Asia.  Countries in the region are looking for reliable and environmentally friendly energy sources to cope with growing consumption.  In India the government plans to build 21 new reactors by 2031 as part of a strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and strengthen energy security.

China is also actively developing the nuclear industry, building dozens of new reactors.  Across the region, nuclear is becoming a real alternative to coal and gas – not only for the climate but also for the stability of energy supplies.

“While climate change matters, it’s not the only reason for the renewed interest in nuclear energy.   Nuclear energy remains one of the few sources that can guarantee an uninterrupted supply of energy while meeting all safety requirements,” says Sagarkumar Soni - a senior nuclear safety engineer at Duke Energy.  He also chairs the expert jury for the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) awards, where he participates in the evaluation of projects, and the selection of leading industry experts.

Soni stands out as a top expert in his field.  His experience includes key projects in Canada and the United States including at Bruce Power and Duke Energy.  He specializes in ensuring the reliability of fuel systems, engineering solutions for the optimization of reactor operations and the development of risk reduction strategies at nuclear power facilities.  In 2025, he was named the winner of the Cases & Faces Award in the Energy category which recognized his long-term work and contribution to the development of the industry.

Technological solutions for safety and efficiency 

Modern nuclear energy focuses on technologies that enhance safety and cost efficiency.  A key innovation is Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) which require lower investment, faster construction, and improved safety through passive cooling systems.

Another trend is digital risk prediction.  AI and predictive analytics assess equipment conditions, forecast failures and prevent accidents before they occur.

 "Today, nuclear plant management systems are reaching a new level with digital solutions.   These help prevent failures, reduce risks and extend reactor lifespans," Soni explains.

Even traditional reactors can improve.  Optimizing maintenance and reducing downtime significantly lower operational costs.

 How engineering innovations are transforming nuclear energy 

One major challenge in nuclear energy remains unplanned shutdowns for maintenance, causing millions in losses and schedule disruptions.  Modern technologies cut delays and get things done faster.

“When we were working on a project in Canada, we encountered a major hurdle- each inspection required a reboot of the entire system which delayed the process by almost a day.  This increased costs, and put a significant burden on the team,” says Soni.

To solve the problem an innovative system was introduced that allows inspections to be carried out without shutting down the equipment.  “We managed to cut down the downtime by thirty-six hours.  This meant lower costs and, importantly, reduced radiation exposure,” he explains.

Another key element is competent risk management.  Modern nuclear power plants increasingly rely on in depth safety analysis to extend the service life of equipment.

“In one of the projects we tested whether it was possible to continue operating a reactor without additional repairs.  We used probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) to predict possible failures and simulate various operating scenarios.  This allowed to extend the service life of the reactor, and to propose improvements that increase its resilience in emergency situations,” adds Soni.

This approach could be particularly relevant for India where nuclear power is gaining momentum.  Improving reactor efficiency and minimizing downtime makes the industry more sustainable and competitive on the international stage.

The future of nuclear energy

As global demand for energy grows, developing economies including India are increasingly taking the lead in nuclear energy.  The government estimates that nuclear energy in the country's overall energy balance will increase from the current 3% to 10% by 2050.

Soni emphasizes, that the further development of the industry largely depends on the introduction of new reactor technologies and competent risk management.  These are the areas that will serve as the basis for turning nuclear energy into a sustainable and long-term source of energy in the context of global changes.