Nuclear energy: Learning the ropes

Seeram Ramakrishna for the Straits Times 19 Apr 10;

PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington recently that Singapore would soon begin 'a careful and rigorous examination of the technical, economic and safety aspects of nuclear energy'.

Since both the technology and the economics of the energy industry are constantly changing, the outcome of such a feasibility study is uncertain. But if Singapore does decide to go ahead, the country will need to embark on capability building and manpower training immediately. A decision not to go ahead, however, will not necessarily mean that the country has turned its back on the nuclear energy option forever.

Nuclear power reactors are being built all over the world to satisfy electricity demand, ensure energy security and address climate change concerns. Whatever the outcome of the feasibility study, Singapore should build up its nuclear science and engineering capability in case it needs to exercise the nuclear energy option in the future.

A nuclear research reactor would be a practical tool for training manpower. It would also provide opportunities for a variety of peaceful applications.

Typically a nuclear power reactor costs $3 billion to $5 billion per installed gigawatt of electrical generating capacity. International nuclear agencies expect nations constructing such reactors to meet high safety standards. They are also required to have a disaster management plan, deal with radioactive waste, and comply with the international norms and conventions. Regulators also require countries that construct such reactors to comply with non-proliferation safeguards.

Vendors expect the host nation to provide the specifications, select a design and share the financial risks and responsibilities. This implies that any nation aspiring to generate electricity from nuclear power reactors needs to have a high level of in-house nuclear capability.

The best way to nurture such in-house capability is by 'learning by doing' - that is, by investing in a reactor for research. Research reactors are designed to operate using low enriched uranium so as not to pose nuclear proliferation threat.

According to the World Nuclear Association, the nations with the most nuclear power reactors are the United States (104), France (58), Japan (54), Russia (32) and South Korea (20). All of them began with research reactors. Asean countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia have been operating nuclear research reactors for decades.

Judging from Singapore's track record in other high technology industries, it should be able to establish a globally respectable level of expertise in nuclear science and engineering quickly. Operating a research reactor will enable Singapore to master the intricacies of nuclear technology and thus become a participant in roundtable discussions on such matters at regional and international fora.

In most countries, public opinion on nuclear energy matters is varied and often coloured with emotion. Domestic expertise in operating a nuclear research reactor will contribute to a robust debate on such matters. The result will be greater public awareness about nuclear safety, and other uses of nuclear technology in medicine and industry.

In recent decades, research reactors have been used to produce medical isotopes. For example, the most common medical isotope Technetium-99m is derived from Molybdenum-99 produced in research reactors.

Nuclear research reactors are also used to dope silicon in order to use its semiconductor properties for high quality electronic applications; evaluate materials and reactor designs; study atomic structures and molecular processes in materials science, food science and various kinds of engineering.

Asia is now the most important builder of new nuclear power plants. This means that Singapore needs to possess advanced sensing capabilities to detect nuclear accidents. Singapore, being a major hub for international trade and best shipping practices, will also have to further upgrade its ability to detect illegal transshipments of unauthorised nuclear materials. Experienced staff working in a local research reactor would be able to help the country meet many of these requirements, while ensuring that the country is well placed to participate in the region's growing nuclear industry.

Typical training for a research reactor costs a fraction of the cost of a nuclear power reactor. Such trained manpower is useful for a variety of functions. These include forming nuclear regulatory and licensing bodies, and providing experts who can specify, select and eventually operate and manage nuclear power reactors. Nurturing nuclear scientists and engineers requires time.

Global experience suggests it would take about five years to select, license, prepare the site, and then build and commission a research reactor. A timely decision now would be helpful in enabling Singapore to meet many objectives, from ensuring energy security to detecting illegal transshipments of nuclear materials.

The writer is vice-president (research strategy) at the National University of Singapore, and also the chairman of the National Committee of Engineering Organisations at the Institution of Engineers Singapore