What Nuclear?

With the escalating down of oil price, would the call for nuclear power be as effective? So much was tied to the price of oil, instead of its dwindling supplies, when making arguments about the need for nuclear.

What's Next

This Bernama link reporting Malaysia becoming a member of the IAEA Board of Governors probably is the latest news related to nuclear for Malaysia. On the local scene new developments are yet to take place. Item 101 in the budget 2009 speech stating the need to explore nuclear energy to ensure long-term energy security for the nation and the formulation of a comprehensive National Energy Plan is still probably among the latest and significant development in this regard that is known in the public domain.

Nuclear Energy 2023...

Every now and then statements are made on the possibility of nuclear energy taking part in the task of electricity generation in Malaysia. It has been the last option for many many years. As current resources are dwindling, it is becoming more imperative that nuclear energy should be introduced.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) has spoken positively about it. Both the prime minister and his deputy also have spoken about it in the same tone. It was included in the budget speech for 2009 that the country is exploring its use. Today, the Minister responsible for energy said that the country will use nuclear for electricity production by 2023 as global supplies of natural gas and coal deplete (The Star, page 29, 20 September 2009). There is a sense of urgency in the tone of the speech: "...the increase in coal price had been exceptional and we need to act now."
He is reported to have also said that the Government was left with no choice but to use nuclear energy as it was the better alternative (compared to other sources).
It was reported that the price of coal in June was USD70 (RM242) per tonne. Today it triples that figure, hovering between USD140 (RM485) and USD180 (RN623) per tonne.
The rising cost of oil makes the cost of transportation to also increase. Certainly this contributes to the increasing cost of coal, which is transported from the source to the power stations.
2023 is exactly 15 years from today, the magic figure that is estimated to be the duration needed to put everything in place for the introduction of nuclear energy.
In the meantime, the Malaysian Nuclear Society (MNS), together with the Mlaysian Nuclear Agency is organizing an International Nuclear Conference, 29 June - 01 July 2009 in Kuala Lumpur with the theme "Strengthening Partnership in Nuclear Energy." More details on the conference, which is dubbed as INC'09, could be found at http://online.nuclearmalaysia.gov.my/sems/inc09.

What's In It for Malaysia...

Is it to be remembered? Isn't it something that will serve us well when forgotten? Yes, but it just simply wouldn't go away. Commemorated or not, Hiroshima and Nagasaki is known to be associated with nuclear, even by those regarded to be too young to remember or to know what happened more than 60 years ago.
We should not simply left them with that story on Hiroshima and Nagasaki without also giving them another face of nuclear tecgnology. Thus, the event was commemorated once again, like previous years by many quarters. One was by the Malaysian Nuclear Society (MNS), but not for rekindling that destructive image.
A one-day seminar on the applications of the technology was held at USIM, Bandar Baru Nilai, Wednesday, 6 August. It was attended by more than 300 participants, predominant among them were the would be scientists and researchers - students from the nearby local universities and school children. They are the ones who should know that there are many peaceful uses of the technology, and that its use for destruction is an immoral act and contrary to the reason for pursuing and equipping oneself with knowledge. They were reminded of that.
The bomb was first written about in Malaysia, to my recollection, in a 1952-publication entitled Almanak Melayu, 1952. The promise of the atoms to benefit mankind when properly used was mentioned. Even though descriptions of the fission process may not be that accurate, the efforts to share information and educate general readers on the technology, as early as 1952, is laudable.

Nuclear Insights

In the meantime, a new book touching on the development of nuclear science and technology research and development in the country was published. Here is what others say about it:

"I have great interest for your philosophy of research and being scientist. I appreciate much your describing details of your association with TRCRE after I left for IAEA." --- Dr. Sueo Machi, FNCA Coordinator, Japan.

"Your review and commentary on your R&D experiences interwoven with your thoughts on current issues as well as your ideas for positioning for the future will find resonance with your readers and assist them as they pursue their various quests and journeys across the R&D landscape." --- Dr. John F. Easey, ANSTO, Australia.

Would you like to say something about it as well?

In Malaysia it is available at Pustaka Mukmin, Kuala Lumpur; Mehraj Bookstore, Kuala Lumpur; Nufair Street Bookstore, Kuala Lumpur; Universiti Malaya Bookstore, Kuala Lumpur; INTAN Bookstore, Kuala Lumpur; and from this site or from the Malaysian Nuclear Society (MNS).

Nuclear Option...

The sound level on talks about nuclear power program for the country gained more decibel recently; again due in large part to the escalating price of oil. Opinions, statements, letter to editors in national mainstream media abound. The links to some of them below will be updated from time to time:

1. thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/15/
focus/21511974&sec=focus

Coincidentally, the tide of sentiment on nuclear energy in the country follows global trend. As the world is undergoing what is termed as 'nuclear renaissance' the country too began to see nuclear as more than just the last option. Even though there is no official decisions on that yet but voices for it have come from sources who have not spoken about it before.
In the 1970s-1980s the country looked at the possibility of having nuclear energy in her energy mix. Hence a nuclear research institute was established as a starting point to that long journey. Along the way, not even midway, the country discovered oil and is now a nett oil exporter. Soon, the push for nuclear energy dwindled and dispersed. This decline in interest also coincided with the same decline in interest globally but the reasons were Three Mile Island and Chernobyl.
If oil was the reason for it to lose steam, it seems that the same is the source for it to gain steam again, but this time due to the impending depletion of that natural resource.

No Coal...

The decision of the Sabah State government last week to do away with the proposed RM 1.2 billion, 300 MW coal-fired plant, near Lahad Datu, Silam was a positive one. It is significant because the major consideration was environmental preservation, which is rarely the main motivator for a decision of that nature. It is said that the plant is a potential environmental threat to the pristine Danum Valley and Darvel Bay. The utility company was asked to look for other more environmental-friendly way of generating the needed electricity.
Coal is one of the dirtier fossil plant. It is known to emit sulphur dioxide, the cause of acid rain, soot particle, and a contributor to global warming through the emission of carbon dioxide. Coal-fired plant is only about 30% fuel efficient, the rest is wasted and some go to pollute the environment.
As Sabah and Sarawak develop following the pace of development in Peninsular Malaysia the need for energy there is expected to increase. Bakun hydro potential in Sarawak, which is also tagged to be the energy source for the Peninsular through a submarine cable, has also been mentioned as the potential source for energy in that region. Perhaps the total potential of Bakun could be dedicated and reserved to fulfill the requirement of Sabah and Sarawak without any transmission to the Peninsular. Then we can do away with the 1000 km long or so submarine cable as well.

Time Out

Until things back on track there would be less noise and talk on nuclear energy. The new government has just been formed as it picks up speed the view on nuclear energy would be known.. could it be even more friendlier towards nuclear power?

Energy and Advanced Technology

Energy should not be the sole consideration for embarking on a nuclear power program. The spin-offs effect should also be a motivator. This aspect is not so obvious in other types of power plant. This is also an aspect that has not been adequately communicated to the public. It adds to the justification to have such a program beyond just fulfilling energy needs, which is open for debate, and may not be strong enough to carry the push to have such a program alone.
The stringent demand for exactness, precision, and use of materials with special properties demand special capability and knowledge. Such capability, developed for the nuclear industry, would diffuse to other areas resulting in the overall uplifting of the quality and capability in the industry as a whole.

Human Error

To err is human. Frequently we hear this saying whenever something bad happens as a result of human action. Many nuclear accidents, and incidents, are the result of human error. The same is attributed to the safe automatic shutdown of nuclear reactors in Florida recently. It caused considerable loss and inconvenience to say the least to users and consumers, and the utility company itself, but the nuclear reactors behaved as expected and did not cause any accident.
Nonetheless some may regard that as nuclear accidents and regard safety issues as endemic to nuclear reactors. Unless the cause is made clear and explained to the public that misunderstanding may indeed take root in the mind of the public and nuclear energy will be regarded as unsafe.
Human error cannot be avoided, but measures that are put in place through advancement in engineering and technology minimize its effect on the system. Even so, it is best that the safety system is not challenged. Hence administrative means must be put in place to minimize that possibility. However, put everything in place, technical and administrative control, engineered safety features, and everything, without safety culture, those measures will not be effective.
Still, regrettably, any 'nuclear accidents' are taken by the public as technological flaw or weakness, not due to human infallibility. Road accidents happen every second and yet vehicles, as it should be, have never been branded as flawed. It is the driver that is at fault. Shouldn't the same be the case for nuclear reactors too?

Big Decision

Deciding to go nuclear is a big move. Once decided there should not be any retraction or it would be difficult to be re-activated in the future. Hence, it is a big decision.
Sufficient preparation must be in-place even for making this decision so that any reaction, hostile or just adverse, can be handled effectively and convincingly. Groups unsympathetic to the cause may take difference posture. Public acceptance, once again, becomes one of the main decisive factors. Fact and figures can persuade the public especially if these can be made to touch the heart and appeal to emotions. After all acceptance is an emotive act.
Comfort level of the public must be raised with respect to the issues of radioactive waste, nuclear safety, and fuel supply assurance and security, among others. Already the thinking public is questioning about the availability of fuel to supply the 'nuclear renaissance.'
Also, 'nuclear renaissance' should not just be manifested in the numbers of nuclear power reactors being put to grid, constructed, or planned, but also in other aspects of nuclear electricity generation. Waste, safety, proliferation, and access to technology as well as sufficient level of self-dependency must be considered and explained to the general public, especially the voting public.

Bulk Power

Talk about powering industrial plants, the massive electricity guzzler like steel mills, smelters, magnetic levitation trains and all of their kinds, can renewable energy like solar, wind, and waves deliver their needs? Probably not. Bulk, consistent, and continuously available power generating plant, like nuclear plant, is the answer.
Yes, all electricity is alike. The one supplied by solar can equally run the TV sets as electricity generated by a nuclear power plant. The appliances or users do not know what plant generates the electricity, and they don't have to. But we ought to segment the end-users and end-use of electricity so that we can come up with what would be a good mix or composition. Bulk power generated by central power plants for industrial uses and renewable energy for 'soft' users such as office buildings and households.
Not a single energy source can supply total global needs alone, but each can handle specific requirements. That is what balancing the energy mix is all about.

Backburner

Election is just around the corner. The parliament was dissolved last Wednesday, 13 Feb, and voting is scheduled to be on Saturday, 8 March. Until the new government is set-up and installed, the nuclear power/ energy question perhaps will for a while take the backseat...

Imagine...

Imagine most the people, living in future, having own energy, generating electricity too.
It may seem like pipe dreams, but wasn't it like that before? It was the firewood, and the cow dung.
Everyone collected their own. Everyone used their own. Others running low on logs, may buy your own.
Surely we can't live by cow dung, and firewood alone. But the concept can be used with other energy forms. Then everyone is back having own energy, and generating electricity too, distributed generation way. Renewable like solar, can operate that way.
Currently electricity generated centrally. Economy of scale dictates so. Technology isn't there to make plants smaller. Centralized generation is the way to go.
Imagine solar using that concept. Localized climate change may well arise. There's no sunlight, reaching the ground. And no rain too, wetting the ground. Development not possible, on the space above. For acres and acres it's just panels. Certainly, this source should not operate in centralized way.
We have to change our mindset too. Not all plants should be centralized. Some ought to be distributed or decentralized. Think of the moon and the stars. For nuclear, the choice is obvious.

Non-Power Applications? No Big Deal...

It's no big deal in saving millions of RM by using non-destructive testings in industrial plants troubleshooting and repair; it's no big deal in enhancing the quality of health care by supplying radio-pharmaceuticals to nuclear medicine centers; it's no big deal in helping farmers increase the yield of their produce by developing better plant varieties; it's no big deal in helping SMEs enhance the quality of their products through the use of radiation processing; it's no big deal in adding values to local resources; it's no big deal in preserving pristine environment through reduction of harmful chemicals usage by using nuclear techniques.
Yes, the list of the applications of nuclear technology other than for energy production can go on; but they are no big deal.
Only occasionally these benign applications get to the pages of the print or electronic media. They deemed to be of no public interest except with the presence of public figure in specially organized activities; and that helps. Promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear technology need to have more coverage so as to dissuade the public into thinking that nuclear is for destruction only. As the public accepts that nuclear technology brings benefits in many areas they would be more conditioned and better prepared to see that it is applicable for power generations as well.
The use of nuclear technology in non-power applications in Malaysia are now quite well-developed. Sufficient exposure of these developments can create better understanding of the technology and shape positive public opinion.