Why South Korea Is the Ideal Mentor for Nuclear Energy Research and Development in Southeast Asia
Some Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia and the Philippines, Vietnam, are exploring the possibility of incorporating nuclear energy. While nuclear plants can generate reliable, emissions-free energy, investing requires thorough research and expertise. Emerging nuclear energy nations should build robust R&D programs to enable safe, sustainable sectors. Strong R&D develops critical knowledge and best practices for operations and regulation. As Indonesia and the Philippines lack decades of focused nuclear R&D like South Korea's, tapping into South Korean expertise could allow efficient, safe adoption. Only few countries can match South Korea's 35+ years of focused nuclear energy R&D. Tapping into South Korean expertise would allow ASEAN to adopt nuclear power more efficiently and safely.
Current status of Nuclear Energy Development in ASEAN
Some Southeast Asian nations, such as Indonesia and the Philippines, are exploring the possibility of incorporating nuclear energy, particularly small modular reactors (SMRs), into their energy portfolios. Collaboration between BRIN, PLN Indonesia Power, and NuScale Power Corporation is underway to assess the feasibility of implementing NuScale's SMR technology in West Kalimantan. The 8-month study, starting in August 2023, aims to evaluate the technology's performance and cost-effectiveness for potential carbon-free power generation.
In the Philippines, Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is collaborating with Ultra Safe Nuclear to explore the Micro-Modular Reactor (MMR). The cooperative agreement includes a four-month pre-feasibility study to assess the potential deployment of MMR in the Philippines, considering financial, technical, safety, and siting aspects.
While nuclear plants can generate reliable, emissions-free energy, investing requires thorough research and expertise. Emerging nuclear energy nations should build robust R&D programs to enable safe, sustainable sectors. Strong R&D develops critical knowledge and best practices for operations and regulation. As Indonesia and the Philippines lack decades of focused nuclear R&D like South Korea's, tapping into South Korean expertise could allow efficient, safe adoption.
South Korea's rapid rise as nuclear energy leader
South Korea has risen as a leader in nuclear energy technology and research over the past few decades. Their expertise originates in the 1970s when the country made strategic investments into developing an extensive nuclear energy program to supply their rapidly growing energy demands. This program accelerated in the 1980s and today South Korea operates 25 reactors that supply about one-third of the country’s electricity. Behind the success of South Korea's large nuclear reactor fleet is a robust, homegrown nuclear energy R&D program. Starting in the late 1990s, South Korea committed resources into training scientists and engineers through PhD programs and engineering fellowships, as well as supporting R&D into advanced reactors through government research institutes like the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). KAERI developed its own model of pressurized water reactors in the 1990s and has recently begun exporting this technology with multi-billion dollar deals to build reactors in United Arab Emirates.
This long-term investment has paid dividends. For example, South Korea is making strides in the international nuclear energy arena by constructing four APR1400 units at the Barakah nuclear plant in the United Arab Emirates, marking the first export of this Korean model. Simultaneously, South Korea is developing the SMART (System-integrated Modular Advanced Reactor), a 330 MWt pressurized water reactor with integral steam generators and advanced safety features. The SMART reactor is designed not only for electricity generation (up to 100 MWe) but also for various thermal applications, including seawater desalination. With a design life of 60 years and a three-year refueling cycle, this reactor represents an exciting development.
The SMART reactor project, a collaborative effort between South Korea and Saudi Arabia, had its roots in 1997, with pre-project engineering work carried out from 2015 to 2018. Currently, the project is focused on obtaining Standard Design Approval for the reactor, with the significant milestone of receiving the first-ever Standard Design Approval (SDA) from the Korean regulatory body for a 100 MWe (330 MWt) integral reactor in 2012.
Benefits of South Korean Mentorship
South Korea’s expertise in nuclear energy is not limited to production alone. The country has also made significant strides in nuclear energy research and development. South Korea’s nuclear energy research and development program has been focused on developing advanced nuclear technologies that are particularly suited to provide low-carbon process heat applications. High-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) are capable of producing very high-temperature outputs and could be an ideal solution for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors of the economy, such as steelmaking and petrochemicals. South Korea’s decarbonization plans involve adding increasing volumes of renewables to the grid, which will create greater challenges in maintaining grid stability. Advanced reactor concepts, such as small modular reactors (SMRs) are capable of load following and can operate flexibly with intermittent renewables. Certain advanced reactors, particularly those with integrated energy storage systems, are specifically designed to ramp output up or down based on grid fluctuations. Such advanced nuclear systems can provide “flexible baseload” capabilities that can moderate the intermittency of renewables without the greenhouse gas emissions associated with other fossil fuel generators.
Based on the discussion above, reasons for South Korea as an ideal mentor include:
Proven Track Record:
South Korea boasts a proven track record in operating and maintaining nuclear power plants safely and efficiently for decades. This success is a testament to the nation's robust regulatory framework, skilled workforce, and commitment to international safety standards. South East Asian nations, navigating the complexities of nuclear energy, could benefit from South Korea's experience to establish and maintain a safe nuclear infrastructure.
Innovative Technologies:
South Korea has been at the forefront of developing innovative nuclear technologies, such as advanced pressurized water reactors and small modular reactors. Collaborating with South Korea would allow South East Asian nations to tap into these advancements, potentially leapfrogging certain stages of development and adopting state-of-the-art technologies from the outset.
International Collaboration:
South Korea actively engages in international collaborations in nuclear research. This openness to cooperation has facilitated knowledge exchange, joint projects, and the establishment of a global network. South East Asian nations, by aligning with South Korea, can access a wealth of expertise, resources, and collaborative opportunities in the international nuclear community.
Capacity Building and Workforce Development:
South Korea's experience in developing a skilled workforce for the nuclear industry is noteworthy. By mentoring South East Asian nations, South Korea can contribute to capacity building, training professionals, and transferring knowledge. This, in turn, would catalyze the growth of a competent nuclear workforce within the region.
In conclusion, South Korea’s expertise in nuclear energy research and development makes it an ideal mentor for South East Asia in this field. The country’s focus on developing advanced nuclear technologies that are particularly suited to provide low-carbon process heat applications, coupled with its experience in nuclear energy production, makes it an invaluable partner for South East Asia as it looks to develop its own nuclear energy programs. South Korea’s expertise and resources can help South East Asia meet its growing energy needs while also reducing its carbon footprint.
