One type of low-carbon alternative technology that the Singapore government has been monitoring is nuclear energy, Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said on Oct. 23, at the Singapore International Energy Week 2023.
Over 10 years ago, the government conducted a pre-feasibility study on nuclear energy which concluded that nuclear energy technologies available then were not suitable for deployment in Singapore, he highlighted.
Singapore has been engaging the IAEA, studying nuclear technologies and safety
However, the government is building up expertise to understand advanced nuclear technologies and their suitability for Singapore.
It has also been growing Singapore's capabilities in nuclear safety, as well as in emergency preparedness and response.
The government has also been engaging the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to "learn from the world’s best."
According to Gan, Singapore needs to build its capabilities to understand advanced nuclear energy technologies which are becoming safer and have the potential to be cost competitive, so that the government can study these options seriously when the newer technologies become viable.
Singapore is looking at Small Modular Reactors
As for specific nuclear technologies being studied, Gan pointed to Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as one such technology that shows promise in being safer than conventional large-scale reactors.
"For example, some SMRs are designed to cool safely and passively without requiring external systems or operator actions during emergencies," Gan said.
Singapore will also deepen its collaboration with countries that have capabilities in SMR technology to strengthen its understanding.
The minister noted that there has been growing interest in nuclear energy from countries in the region.
Singapore is also looking at hydrogen
Apart from nuclear energy, hydrogen is also another low-carbon alternative that Singapore is studying.
According to Gan, global investments in hydrogen have continued to increase, backed by government policies in many countries to accelerate its production and use.
Singapore will also deepen its collaboration with countries that have capabilities in SMR technology to strengthen its understanding.
The minister noted that there has been growing interest in nuclear energy from countries in the region.
https://mothership.sg/2023/10/singapore-studying-nuclear-energy-suitability/
