The fast dwindling
resources of non-renewable fuels for energy supply has created a feeling
of energy insecurity among both the advanced and less developed
countries. For economic development, adequate energy supplies must be
ensured. The less developed countries need more energy input to
accelerate their development program. Scramble for the limited energy
resources is foreseen for security of supply of this vital ingredient of
economic stability. The disparity in consumption patterns and
availability of conventional energy resources has put the less developed
countries at a greater disadvantage. Considering the fact that the cost
of conventional energy resources is to increase sharply due to scarcity
and higher intrinsic worth, there is no option but to develop
alternative sources of energy -- the so called non-conventional energy
sources (nuclear fission, fusion etc.) and renewable such as solar,
wind, ocean, geothermal and biomass. Physics is fundamental to much of
the work in this direction and naturally has been the major topic of
discussion.
The main theme of the
Sixth College was energy and the program was devoted to lectures on
energy problems and its modeling techniques. Professor Wolf Hafele, an
eminent expert on energy and the leader of the energy study group at
IIASA gave a lucid account of the global energy problems. He emphasised
the role of various alternatives for energy resources and their
complementary nature, particularly underlying the part which the nuclear
energy will be called upon to play in the next 20-30 years. He
particularly advised to switch over from the present day consumptive
mode of energy utilisation to the investive mode if the limited energy
resources are to be extended beyond the next few decades. This is how he
concluded his lecture on "Nature of Energy Demand":
"We are now close to a deeper
insight. In the old days when the man was hunting, he was living from
nature in a consumptive mode and the carrying capacity was of the
order of one person per sq. km. When population increased, man had to
advance from the consumptive mode of using resources to the investive
mode of using resources, viz. agriculture. The seeds were the
investments, the endowment and we are living from the interest.-----
as we have seen, life on earth is possible because the universe is not
in equilibrium and because the earth is an open system and this has
much to do with our belief that there is no limit to progress. I find
that a very encouraging message."
Energy was the topic of
discussion during the third College as well. We had on our faculty,
eminent experts like E. Elbec, D. Fande and J.A. Lane. During Sixth
College, R.H.Rogner, LeoSchrattenbolzer, Di Primo, A.M. Khan,
Y.Saunier,Ibrar-ul-Hassan and R.P. Overend lectured on various topics of
energy. As a follow up activity, a two days workshop on Energy problems
in Pakistan was held at Islamabad. Energy experts from different
organisations assembled and presented their analysis and projection of
energy situation. Some concrete recommendations based on general
consensus were worked out.
The focus of attention is
now fast tilting towards the development of renewable resources and the
non-conventional energy resources. Renewable energy resources were
discussed by Dr. M.A.K. Lodhi during Tenth College. He particularly
mentioned the solar and ocean wave energy and the novel methods to
harness them. Role of solar energy and non-linear thermal collectors was
discussed during Sixth College by Prof. Y. Saunier. Wind power was
discussed by Prof. Musgrove during Second College.
Nuclear Power is a well
established and reliable method of producing electricity offering a
practical and ready alternative for meeting the future electricity needs
of both the industrialised and the developing countries. Physics, energy
and natural resources was the major theme of the scientific program of
the Fourth College. In the inaugural lecture, Mr. Munir Ahmed Khan, the
then Chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, put the energy needs
of the developing countries in the perspective and importance of the
role of nuclear energy in these countries as well as the constraints
which they face on this account. Here is how he put forth his ideas:
"The developing countries of the
third world need to acquire nuclear technology for essential
diversification and augmentation of their energy supplies and to
ensure their development and progress. Since nuclear technology is
interdisciplinary in character, its advantages overflow into many
other areas of industrial development. Those nations which are
advanced in nuclear technology also have a strong industrial base. The
developing countries require latest technology more than others
because they have already been left far behind and their progress
hinges on how quickly and effectively they can acquire and apply
modern technologies in different areas of life. Their depleting oil
resources, limited development and rising population call for
immediate action to radically alter economic development prospects."
During Sixteenth College,
Dr. Friedrich Niehaus discussed the important role that nuclear power
can play in meeting the future needs of the mankind in a sustainable
manner. He also compared the risk to health and environment from various
energy options. Jeremy Hopwood, William A. Neuton, J.R.Dietrich were the
other prominent speakers on the related topics.
Fusion Energy is a subject
about which the scientists of the developing countries should at least
be aware even if it may be very expensive to start. During the Third
College, Nobel Laureate Professor Robert Hofstadter gave a very
interesting and stimulating course of lectures on the exciting field of
nuclear fusion. He reviewed both the inertial and magnetic
confinement approaches to fusion. The progress made in laser induced
fusion was reviewed in some detail and conditions of scientific and
engineering break-even were stated. He emphasised that if the fusion
program is supported strongly, fusion energy may be available before the
turn of the century. He also mentioned that even if we were by a factor
of ten away from scientific break-even point, there will be two
important intermediate applications, namely the use of neutron therapy
for cancer cure and in the breeding of fissile materials. That the
scientists are the people who set off the process of future development
in fulfillment of social responsibility is evident from the words of the
great scientist while concluding his lecture:" I strongly believe the
fusion power will play a vital role for the good of the mankind".
Dr. Macnamara, Prof
Caldirola, D.C. Robinson, D.C. Robinson, S.M. Mahagan, dr. Bjornholu
were the speakers on related topics in later Colleges. Plasma physics
has also been the major theme of 11th and 17 th Colleges. Prof. J.D.
Collen, H.G.Haines and Y. Yen were on our faculty during 11th College. A
workshop on plasma physics was held where several presentations were
made both by the participants and the lecturers, covering different
aspects of controlled fusion, plasma instabilities and some MHD
problems.
Fusion and Plasma Physics
were again taken up for dissemination of knowledge about the latest
developments in this field during 17th College. Topics covered included
magnetic and inertial confinement fusion, dense magnetized plasmas,
space plasmas etc. We had a distinguished faculty comprising such
experts of the field like N. Rostoker, G.J. Pert, A.W. DeSilva, Peter
Choi, H.U.Rahman and G.Murtaza.
