Summary for Discussion Agenda -- Past, Present, and Future --

Transcription

1 Summary for Discussion Agenda -- Past, Present, and Future -- Ø of Region, Ø of Nuclear, and Ø of Symposia Joonhong Ahn Department of Nuclear Engineering University of California, Berkeley The 8 th International Symposium on Future of Nuclear Energy in Asia-Pacific Region Tokyo March 15-16, 2004 Tokai University Educational System

2 Overview Past (90 s) Present (00 s) Future World / Region Disasters (earthquakes, etc.) Economic growth & crises People on the rise Terrorism War/weapons Global warming, Environmental issues Internet/Cell phones? Clinton Administration China s economic growth Bush Administration Nuclear Accidents Monju, JCO, etc. Atoms for peace 50 th anniversary Generation IV Yucca Mountain Repository? (young generations) Symposia : Research on Nuclear in Asia/ Pacific region 7 Symposia (1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002) The 8 th symposium, 2004, Tokyo?

3 Investigation on Nuclear Safety in the Asia-Pacific Region FY1993 FY1995 Funded by Science and Technology Agency through JAERI Under the Committee chaired by President T. Matsumae of Tokai University, teams were sent to 1993: The Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan 1994: Russia (Far East), S. Korea, and Taiwan 1995: China; The 1 st Symposium (Tokyo) Faculty from Engineering, International policy, Mass communication, Political sciences, Civilization, and so on. Outside collaborators

4 Investigation on Nuclear Safety in the Asia-Pacific Region, Background as of 1993 Rapid economic growth in this region Many countries in the region had expressed strong interest in nuclear-technology development for various reasons. US s interest in civilian nuclear development declined. Nuclear Engineering Department of University of Tokyo changed its name to Quantum Engineering and Systems Science (1993). Wide variety in natural environments, Political, economic, historical, and cultural conditions, and way of thinking

5 Investigation on Nuclear Safety in the Asia-Pacific Region, Motivations Accidents in one country could affect other countries in the region, although no major accident had occurred at that time in the region. Japan would receive negative impacts of accidents that would occur in other parts of the region, which must be avoided! Sharing same safety culture is essential. Human resources and Education Regulatory and institutional systems Cultural, historical, religious background It seemed quite natural that Japan took a leading role in the region in the civilian nuclear. But, what would be the best way to increase its involvement in this delicate matter? Let s investigate the present status, and then think about the future!

6 Scenes from 1993 Bangkok Kuala Lumpur BATAN, Indonesia

7 Scenes from 1994 Khabarovsk, Waste disposal facility

8 Investigation on Nuclear Safety in the Asia-Pacific Region, Major findings: Japan s nuclear policy should be part of, and consistent with, its long-term strategic (diplomatic and security) policy for stability and peace in Asia. If Japan s nuclear development would be successful in its reliability and safety, it could be a good example for other countries in the region. It would help their nuclear development, hopefully resulting in relaxation of energy-resource competitions. Cooperation needs to be made with careful considerations for differences in ethics, societal systems, religions, and views toward technologies. Interest and demand for help for human resources development are high. Japan can make important contributions in this area through international cooperation and collaborations. Dialogue should be continued, especially in non-governmental settings, for information exchange and mutual understandings.

9 Then, the series of symposia started, A series of symposia for discussions on future of nuclear utilization in Asia/Pacific region After the 1 st Symposium in Tokyo, 6 symposia were held in: Berkeley (1997), Honolulu (1998), Taipei (1999), Beijing (2000), Jakarta (2001), Taejon (2002) Past participants: From US, Japan, China, S. Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, IAEA From universities (faculty and students), plus national labs, industries, governmental agencies, anti-nukes, etc.

10 Statistics of Symposia Number of papers presented Japan US Korea China Taiwan Indonesia Others Total Partici pants 1st nd >50 3rd th th th th Total >251

11 Highlights of past symposia November 1995 Tokyo

12 Highlights of past symposia May 1997 Berkeley

13 Highlights of past symposia March 1998 Honolulu March 1999 Taipei

14 Highlights of past symposia March 2000 Beijing

15 Highlights of past symposia July 2001, Jakarta July 2002, Taejon

16 Major findings from past symposia Nuclear-power utilization needs to be expanded to sustain economic growth and to improve living standards with tolerable environmental impact in this region, while population is increasing. In such countries as US, Japan, S. Korea, Taiwan, Canada and China, commercial nuclear-power in electricity generation has become indispensable. Technological, societal, institutional, and regulatory systems have worked relatively well. International collaboration has been tight and successful among these countries. Global warming and CO 2 emission In other countries, radiation application and radioactivematerial utilization in industries, such as agriculture and medicine, have expanded and progressed significantly.

17 Major findings from past symposia On the other hand, accumulation of spent fuel, radioactive waste management and nuclear-weapons proliferation have emerged as contentious issues, which may hinder future peaceful utilization in this region. Due to these issues, in any part of the region, skepticism toward nuclear utilization is observed among the public. No new nuclear-power countries have appeared in the past 10 years in this region. Cancellations of planned power plants in Japan How to communicate with the public and to develop consensus is the key issue for the future. Transparency, accountability and reversibility need to be improved/ implemented. Education for citizens Education for nuclear engineers should be improved from the viewpoint of terrorism protection, sustainability, and environmental protection. International collaboration should be expanded and deepened in this region for aforementioned necessities.

18 Points of Discussions in this Symposium Over the past 10 years, Hot topics in nuclear engineering/technologies, Public perception toward nuclear utilization, Situation in each country (economic, technological, political, cultural, ), Boundary conditions around this region, and Meanings, roles, and objectives of international cooperation have evolved considerably. à Let us update our recognition and understanding! (we have 7 papers in the afternoon today for this.) à Then, discuss the evolution of the past 10 years, and extrapolation into next 30 years. (see next )

19 Points of Discussions in this Symposium -- Considering Next 30 years --- Questions for educators (University faculty), What should be taught in NE department? for young people who want to be successful in their careers as Nuclear engineers/scientists as intellectual common property for society (international and domestic) Need inputs from young generations and society/ community Questions for researchers, What will be exciting areas? In which areas young generations are most needed? Inheritance issue

20 Points of Discussions in this Symposium -- Considering Next 30 years --- Questions for young people in NE field, What do you think is exciting in nuclear field? What do you think is the most serious problem/obstacle in nuclear field? Why have you chosen nuclear engineering? Visions 30 years from now (or your retirement age) How will your work affect/contribute to society/community? In which direction the society will evolve? Questions for young people in general, Have you ever thought the possibility of joining NE fields? If no, why? If yes, are you still interested in NE? Who do you think was most influential to develop your attitude toward NE?

21 When we close the present symposium, we will have Good understanding for the status of nuclear utilization in the Asia Pacific region, supported by data and knowledge from the past 10-year accumulation (the 3-year investigation project, the past 7 symposia, and the present one), Updated views for future Recommendations for policy makers (?) Policy for Education International relation Science and technology,

22 And if not completed, May be the 9-th symposium?