Indonesia is an archipelagic nation with thousands of islands\nstretching from Sabang to Merauke, with many remote areas untouched by\nthe electricity grid. To date, electricity needs in these regions have\nrelied on diesel generators, which are expensive, require complex\nmaintenance, and produce dirty emissions. Another option is beginning to\nattract global attention: small nuclear reactors, or small modular\nreactors (SMRs).<\/p>\n
SMRs are fourth-generation nuclear reactors with a maximum capacity\nof 300 megawatts electric (MWe) per unit, far smaller than conventional\nreactors which can reach 1,000 MWe or more. They are called modular\nbecause the reactor components are manufactured in a factory and then\nshipped to the site for assembly. This approach differs from\nconventional reactors built entirely on-site. With the modular method,\ncomponent quality is more controlled, construction time is shorter, and\ncosts are more predictable. SMRs also have the potential to play a\nsignificant role in the clean energy transition and support the\nachievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).<\/p>\n
For remote areas without electricity, an SMR with a capacity of 10-50\nMWe is sufficient. There is no need to build a giant reactor costing\ntrillions of rupiah. SMRs also rarely require refuelling. Conventional\nreactors typically refuel every 12-18 months, whereas SMRs can operate\nfor 3 to 7 years without refuelling. Some designs are even capable of\noperating for up to 30 years without refuelling. This is a major\nadvantage for remote regions, where the logistics of delivering fuel to\nthe interior or remote islands are extremely difficult and expensive.\nWith an SMR, fuel supply matters become much simpler, and remote areas\ncan have their own independent power source.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest concerns about nuclear power is safety. SMRs are\ndesigned with passive safety principles, meaning that even without human\nintervention or external power supply, the reactor will shut itself down\nautomatically if a disturbance occurs. This differs from older\ngeneration reactors that rely heavily on active cooling systems. Safety\nfrom nuclear accidents is guaranteed through the application of a\nsafeguarding system designed and implemented continuously from the\ninitial design stage. Furthermore, the management of radioactive waste\nand spent fuel is a crucial aspect of SMR design.<\/p>\n
The world has proven that SMRs are no longer just a concept. The\nfirst SMR began commercial operation in May 2020 in Russia with a\ncapacity of 35 MWe. China has also operated several units. Meanwhile,\nthe United States, South Korea, and Argentina are still in the\nconstruction and licensing stages. Currently, more than 80 SMR designs\nare being developed worldwide.<\/p>\n
Many are unaware that Indonesia already has experience with nuclear\ntechnology. The use of nuclear energy has two main types: power\n(electricity generation) and radiation (various industrial and medical\napplications). Three non-power reactors\u2014Kartini, Triga, and GA\nSiwabessy\u2014have been operating for years for radiation utilisation in\nhealth, food, agriculture, and the environment. This means that human\nresources and basic knowledge of nuclear technology already exist,\nalthough what is missing is a nuclear power plant. In other words,\nIndonesia is not starting from scratch.<\/p>\n
The biggest challenge is Indonesia\u2019s geographical location on the\nPacific Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquakes,\nmeaning tremors occur frequently. The immediate question is whether it\nis safe to build a nuclear reactor in an earthquake-prone region. Modern\ntechnology answers this question, as smaller, modular SMRs are easier to\ndesign with seismic damping systems, and because of their small size,\ngeologically safe locations are easier to find. Meanwhile, BRIN, BATAN,\nand BAPETEN continue to study these safety aspects.<\/p>\n
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), building\nan SMR in a developing country like Indonesia takes around 7 to 10\nyears, with detailed stages: planning and readiness assessment (2-3\nyears), modular design and production (2-3 years), construction and\ninstallation (2-3 years), and operational testing (1-2 years). The good\nnews is that with existing experience in the non-power sector (research\nreactors), this process could be accelerated to around 5 years.<\/p>\n
What is needed now is an in-depth study involving all parties: the\ngovernment, academia, industry, and the public. In addition, honest and\ntransparent public education about the potential and risks of small\nnuclear reactors is essential, because fear is often born from\nignorance. Small nuclear reactors are already a reality. Russia and\nChina are operating them, while the US, South Korea, and Argentina are\nin the construction phase. Indonesia need not hesitate, as we already\nhave basic experience through three non-power reactors and potential\nhuman resources. The question is, are we ready to start?<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/small-nuclear-reactors-as-an-energy-solution-for-indonesias-remote-regions-1782445892", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }