RUDN University scientist: Africa relies on small modular reactors to solve energy problems
“These challenges are forcing African countries to look for alternative energy sources, including nuclear power. The transition to nuclear energy is driven by the need to ensure reliable supplies and diversify energy sources. Africa has significant reserves of uranium, which is mined in Namibia, Niger and South Africa, countries that are among the world’s largest producers of this raw material. In addition, there is a growing interest on the continent in the creation of nuclear science and technology centers, as well as research reactors”, Yuri Radin, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Head of the Department of Power Engineering at RUDN University.
However, the introduction of nuclear energy is facing serious limitations. According to the recommendations of IAEA, for the safe connection of a nuclear power plant, the capacity of the country’s power grid should be about 10 times higher than the capacity of the planned nuclear power plant. Today, only a few African States have such powerful networks. For example, in East Africa, electricity production already exceeds its transmission capacity. Even in Kenya, where the installed generation capacity is 2,400 MW, this is not enough to build a “standard format” nuclear power plant.
“The way out of this situation may be small modular reactors (MMR), which generate up to 300 MW — about a third of the power of the VVER-1000 reactor. As the developers emphasize, the key components of the MMR can be manufactured in factories and delivered to the construction site on schedule. Another advantage of such reactors is that they can be placed deep in the continent, as they require significantly less cooling water. This is especially true in regions with limited infrastructure or low energy demand. The deployment of MMR near cities and industrial centers can be a solution to ensure stable energy supply”, Yuri Radin.
Small modular reactors are one of the most promising nuclear energy technologies for Africa. Their implementation can not only improve the reliability of energy supply, but also reduce dependence on fossil fuels, contributing to the sustainable development of the continent.
Imagine a world where everyone has enough food, clean water, access to education, and decent work. A world where nature is protected and the future of our planet is cared for. These are the Sustainable Development Goals—to achieve a sustainable future for all! To this end, in 2015, the United Nations (UN) defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a global plan that helps countries and people work together towards a better future. All 193 UN member states have joined the plan.
Researchers from the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence at RUDN University conducted a large-scale study that revealed systemic errors in large language models (LLMs) when diagnosing depression based on text. This work, carried out in collaboration with colleagues from AIRI, Federal Research Center “Computer Science and Control” of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ivannikov Institute for System Programming of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and MBZUAI, not only identifies the problem but also lays the foundation for the creation of more reliable and secure tools for detecting depression and anxiety.
Alexandra Sentyabreva, a junior researcher at the Laboratory of Cell Technologies and Tissue Engineering at RUDN Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine at the Russian University of People's Friendship, won the competition for young scientists at the All-Russian Scientific Conference “Topical Issues of Morphogenesis in Norm and Pathology.” She was awarded the Academician A.P. Avtsyn Prize.
Imagine a world where everyone has enough food, clean water, access to education, and decent work. A world where nature is protected and the future of our planet is cared for. These are the Sustainable Development Goals—to achieve a sustainable future for all! To this end, in 2015, the United Nations (UN) defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a global plan that helps countries and people work together towards a better future. All 193 UN member states have joined the plan.
Researchers from the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence at RUDN University conducted a large-scale study that revealed systemic errors in large language models (LLMs) when diagnosing depression based on text. This work, carried out in collaboration with colleagues from AIRI, Federal Research Center “Computer Science and Control” of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ivannikov Institute for System Programming of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and MBZUAI, not only identifies the problem but also lays the foundation for the creation of more reliable and secure tools for detecting depression and anxiety.
Alexandra Sentyabreva, a junior researcher at the Laboratory of Cell Technologies and Tissue Engineering at RUDN Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine at the Russian University of People's Friendship, won the competition for young scientists at the All-Russian Scientific Conference “Topical Issues of Morphogenesis in Norm and Pathology.” She was awarded the Academician A.P. Avtsyn Prize.