Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI)

Transcription

1 A briefing on the newly established Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI) NUS Energy Office Seminar University Hall Auditorium, 8 January 2015

2 Regional Development In the past decade, Southeast Asian countries have been actively exploring the adoption of nuclear energy. Vietnam signed an intergovernmental agreements with Russia in October 2010 to build a nuclear power plant (NPP). The NPP is expected to have two reactors of 1.2GWe each, to be operational by about On the same day, another intergovernmental agreement was signed with Japan to build another NPP of similar capacity, to be operational about one year after the Russian NPP. Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand are also seriously looking into the construction of NPP in the next decade.

3 Vietnam The Russian NPP will be sited at Phuoc Dinh, Ninh Thuan Province (11º24 48 N, 108º58 29 E). It is about 1,250 km from Singapore. The Japanese NPP will be sited at Vinh Hai, in the same Ninh Thuan Province. In 2014, 344 Vietnamese students were studying in Russia preparing for the NPP project. Another 160 engineers were helping with the construction of an NPP in Russia.» Source of Information: World Nuclear Association

4 Indonesia The current preferred site is at Bangka Island. The site has been evaluated to be suitable for some 10GWe capacity, meeting 40% of the energy demand of Sumatra, Java and Bali. The site is about 470 km from Singapore. Plan for large NPPs delayed. A 30MW NPP is planned to be built at Serpong, near Jakarta. Collaborating with Japan on 10MWe demonstration HTR, to be operational by If successful, it will be followed by a number of 100MWe units at Kalimantan, Sulawesi and other Islands» Source of Information: World Nuclear Association

5 Regional Development As any NPP incident in the region could lead to trans-boundary consequences, these developments have important implications for the security and safety of Singapore. We will also need to more closely monitor the food import from regions near locations where there is risk of contamination by radioactive materials.

6 Singapore s Position and Response After a two-year pre-feasibility study, Singapore has announced in parliament in October 2012 that it will not pursue nuclear power with current NPP technology. It will wait for NPP technology and safety to improve further before reconsidering this option. The latest designs of nuclear power plants are much safer than older designs which remain in use in many countries. However, the risks to Singapore, given that we are small and dense, still outweigh the benefits at this point. As we are planning for the very long term and not for our immediate energy needs, we prefer to wait for technology and safety to improve further before reconsidering our options. Mr S Iswaran, 15 Oct 2012

7 Singapore s Position and Response However, in view of regional development, Singapore needs to strengthen its capabilities in nuclear science and technology: Singapore needs to continue to monitor the progress of nuclear energy technologies, and to strengthen our capabilities to understand nuclear science and technology. It is also important to track related developments in areas such as emergency response and radioactive waste disposal. Then we can assess the implications of evolving nuclear energy technologies and regional nuclear energy developments for Singapore. Mr S Iswaran, 15 Oct 2012

8 We will, therefore, support research in relevant areas of nuclear science and engineering, and train a pool of scientists and experts through education programmes in local and overseas universities. We will also play an active role in global and regional cooperation on nuclear safety. Singapore currently participates in several platforms to facilitate cooperation on nuclear energy and safety. For example, we are a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and are working closely with other member countries on implementing the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety. Through such platforms, we can foster greater collaboration to share best practices in nuclear safety, coordinate emergency planning and response, jointly develop human resources, and discuss the implications of regional and global developments. Mr S Iswaran, 15 Oct 2012 NUS Presentation Title 2006

9 What Singapore will do: To develop capabilities in nuclear science and engineering, including training a pool of experts. To monitor developments and prepare for the growth of nuclear energy in the region. One of the main objectives is to protect our people and environment from possible contaminations. To participate and contribute actively to global and regional nuclear safety efforts. To keep abreast of progress in nuclear energy technologies so as to keep our options open for the future.

10 NSREP and SNRSI In October 2013, NRF secured a five-year budget of $62.9M to develop a Nuclear Safety Research and Education Programme (NSREP). NSREP has also been given in-principle approval for a 15-year implementation period, subject to review before the end of each five-year funding period. A Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI) is established as the research arm of NSREP. SNRSI will» Implement the research programmes of NSREP» Attract, develop, and sustain a thriving community of nuclear science and technology experts.

11 Initial Focus Areas of SNRSI The initial focus areas of research of SNRSI will be» Radiochemistry Develop capabilities for reliable detection and accurate measurement of radioactivity; support NEA and other government agencies in establishing baseline levels of radioactivity in our local environment and imported materials before the region goes nuclear.» Nuclear Safety Analysis Conduct simulation studies of the processes in NPP to understand the risk and consequences of possible events, and the spread of radioactivity in various incident scenarios.» Radiobiology Study the effects of low-dose radiation on human health, to enable us to determine the appropriate levels of protection and courses of action in response to radiological threats. Develop expertise in dosimetry, especially internal dosimetry.

12 SNRSI as a unit among NUS University-Level RICs With the approval of the Senate, SNRSI has been established as a unit among the University-Level RICs of NUS. It is envisaged that SNRSI will grow to a strength of about 100 researchers and operational staff, supported by a small admin team. NRF has allocated space in CREATE for the initial set up of SNRSI. It is expected that NRF will provide additional funding for a new building to be erected for use as the permanent home for SNRSI as it outgrows the CREATE site.

13 Initial Activities SNRSI, jointly with NRF, has invited applications from all local universities for scholarship to support postgraduate studies in relevant disciplines. Funding for renovation of the CREATE site has recently been approved, and renovation work will soon begin with the assistance of OED, OSHE, and CREATE. Nine research projects in the areas of radiochemistry, radiobiology, and nuclear safety have been developed by government agencies based on national requirements. NUS FOS/FOE have jointly launched a minor programme in Medical Physics, with emphasis on nuclear techniques applied to medicine and radiological protection.

14 Thank you very much NUS Presentation Title 2006