Nucklear Power Plant - Malaysia

7/30/2019 Nucklear Power Plant - Malaysia

1/23

-CASE STUDY-

NUCLEAR

AS FUTURE ENERGY

FOR MALAYSIA

MOHD HELLMI BIN NORDIN


2/23

CASE STUDY NUCLEAR ENERGY FOR MALAYSIA

2

CONTENT & PAGES

OBJECTIVE 3

A.INTRODUCTION NUCLEAR ENERGY AT A GLANCE 4i. What is nuclearii. Type of nuclear reactionsiii. Nuclear fuel uraniumiv. Common type of nuclear power plant reactorv. Suitable location of nuclear power plant

4

4

5

6~7

7

B.PRO AND CONS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY 8i. Advantages of nuclear energyii. Disadvantage / main concern regarding

nuclear energy

8~10

11

C. WORLD NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION INOPERATION

12

i. List of country using nuclear energyworldwide

ii. Location map nuclear power plant inEurope

iii.

Location map nuclear power plant inAmerica

iv. Location map nuclear power plant in Asiaand Africa

12

13

14

15

D.COMPARISON OF VARIOUS ENERGY SOURCES 16~17E. PROFILE & ENERGY SOURCES OF MALAYSIA 18

i. Electricity demand trend and generationcapacity

ii. Electricity energy sources of Malaysia18

19

F. CONCLUSION 20~21G.MALAYSIA PROFILE AT A GLANCE 22H.SOURCE OF REFERENCES 23


3/23


3

OBJECTIVE

1. To gain basic knowledge about nuclear energy.2. To gain basic knowledge about nuclear based power plant.3.

To know the advantage and disadvantage of nuclear power plant.

4. To compare various sources of energy.5. To find out nuclear power plant operation worldwide.6. To resolve whether nuclear power plant is suitable to be operate in Malaysia.


4/23


4

A. INTRODUCTION NUCLEAR ENERGY AT A GLANCEi. What is nuclear?

Nuclear is energy that has been produced from reactions in the nucleus of the atom.

The term refers to the inner core of nucleus of the atom.

ii. Type of nuclear reactions that can be used to generate energy.a. Nuclear fission Currently all nuclear power plant throughout the world are

based on this type of reaction.

b. Nuclear fusion It is still under research & development and still very far tocomplete.

In the nuclear power plant, heat produced by splitting atoms in uranium. This splitting

reaction is also known as nuclear fission. In the reactor,nuclear fission produces energy toheat water which will create steam. This steam drives a turbine to produce electricity.

Uranium is the material required to fuel the nuclear reactor. Uranium is source by the

mining process.

The process for nuclear energy:


5/23


5

iii. Nuclear fuel uraniumUranium must undergo four process to convert it

from an ore to solid ceramic fuels pellet. They are:

a. Mining & millingSeveral techniques use by miners which is

surface, underground and in-situ recovery. After

mining, the material is milled and processed to

create uranium oxide or also known as yellow

cake.

b. ConversionThis process removes impurities and chemically

converts the material to uranium hexafluoride.

c. EnrichmentThis process to make uranium usable as a fuel by

increasing the content to between 3% ~ 5% by

weight.

d. FabricationFabrication of fuel pellets from enrich uranium

and assembled it in a form of fuel assembly

Since nuclear fuel contain larger amount of energy as compared to fuel from other energy

sources, it will provide energy for longer period. For example 1000 Mwe capacity nuclear

power plant requires only 100 metric tonnes of uranium to begin operation and of these,

only 30 metric tonnes will be utilised to generate electricity for one year.


6/23


6

iv. Common type of nuclear power plant reactora. Pressurized water reactor

b. Boiling water reactor

c. Gas Cooled Reactor and Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor


7/23


7

d. Light Water Cooled Graphite Moderated Reactor

e. Pressurized Heavy Water Moderator Reactor

v. Suitable location of nuclear power plantBefore nuclear power is built, data on the various aspect of its site features is

collected and analysed to assess its suitability as a nuclear power plant site. The

chosen site must determined to be safe for the next 100 years by proving that the

site has been safe for the past 100 years. The following aspects will be study to

assess the suitability of its location:

i. Demographic featuresii. Meteorological featuresiii. Seismic and tectonic featuresiv. Geological and geotechnical featuresv. Geomorphologic and oceanographic features

vi. Hydrogeological and hydrological featuresvii. Enviromental and ecological features

viii. Human activities


8/23


8

B. PRO AND CONS OF NUCLEAR ENERGYi. Advantages of nuclear energy

Countries throughout the world has been driven to electricity generation throughnuclear power due to some factors below:

a. Due technology development, nuclear power plants today are more safe.The 3

rdgeneration nuclear power plant that has been used until today

have been proven to be safe and economically competitive compare to its

predescessor. Additional improvement has been continuosly apply to its

system design and contruction method to enhance safety. Currently

under research and development, the 4th

generation nuclear power plant

is said are more safe and economical, will be for deployment by 2030.

b. Reduced plant contruction time from between 10 and 12 years to only 3and 6 years.

c. Increased plant life expentancy from 25 to 40 years up to 6o years.d. Increased efficiency of uranium fuel utilisation.

Other general advantages of nuclear energy:

a. Nuclear energy benefits the enviroment Nuclear power plants help mitigate climate change because they dont

produce greenhouse gases while generating electricity.

Nuclear energy industry prevents million of tons of carbon dioxide emissionevery year.

Nuclear power plant dont burn anything during electricity generation.


9/23


9

b. Nuclear power plant will help boost economies Operations of the plant will generates more employment The direct effect of plants expenditures of goods, services and labor will

enhance economy activities.

c. The cost of electricity generation from nuclear power plants is competitivecompared to others fuel type.

d. The uranium supplies is unlikely to running out. This on contrary to fossil type fuels which will eventually will be running out.

Even the price of fossil type fuel is more and more higher these day.

According to World Nuclear Association, readily available uranium resourceswhich is about 5.5 millions metric tons will last at least 100 years at todays

consumption rate. An estimated additional 10.5 million metric tons that

remain untapped will expand the available supply to at least 200 years at

today consumption rate.


10/23


10

Below are comparison of amount of fuel required to keep a 1000 MWecapacity power plant running continously without downtime for a year:

e. Affordable electricity production The low and stable of nuclear energy help reduce the price of electricity paid

by the consumer comparing to electricity generation based on fossil fuel is

highly susceptible to fluctuations of coals and gas price.


11/23


11

ii. Disadvantages / main concern regarding nuclear energya. Concern of potential nuclear acccidents / catastrophe

This probably the main concern of the people. The accidents such as atChernobly, Three Mile Island and Fukushima Daiichi has growth the fear inpeople concerning its radiation. These episodes of radioactive drift and

contamination are reminders that dangerous element can and will travel far.

b. Concern of nuclear waste Public concern on what will happen with tons of radioactive waste. It require resolution of the long term high level waste storage.

c. Cost Large capital cost because of emergenct, containment and radioactive waste

and storage system.


12/23


12

C. WORLD NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION IN OPERATIONi. Despite the concerns, many country throughout the world chose to operate nuclear

power plant. Below are the list of country using nuclear reactor:

As of March 2012

Country

Number of

Nuclear Units

Nuclear Capacity

(MW)

Argentina 2 935

Armenia 1 375

Belgium 7 5,927

Brazil 2 1,884

Bulgaria 2 1,906

Canada 18 12,604

China 16 11,816

Czech RP 6 3,766

Finland 4 2,736

France 58 63,130

Germany 9 12,068

Hungary 4 1,889

India 20 4,391

Iran 1 915

Japan 50 44,215

Korea Rep. 23 20,671

Mexico 2 1,300

Netherlands 1 482

Pakistan 3 725

Romania 2 1,300

Russia 33 23,643

Slovakia 4 1,816

Slovenia 1 688

South Africa 2 1,830

Spain 8 7,567

Sweden 10 9,326

Switzerland 5 3,263

Taiwan, China 6 5,018

U.K. 17 9,703

U.S.* 104 101,465

Ukraine 15 13,107

Total 436 370,461

* IAEA and EIA nuclear capacity figures vary slightly.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency


13/23


13


14/23


14


15/23


15

ii. Countries in Southeast Asia which have plans to build nuclear power planta. Indonesia Four nuclear plants with a total capacity of 4000 Mwe by 2016b. Vietnam Two nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 2000 MWe by 2018.c. Thailand Two nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 2000 MWe by 2021.

iii. Until May 2012, according to IAEA, there is 66 units of nuclear reactor underconstruction worldwide.


16/23


16

D.COMPARISON OF VARIOUS ENERGY SOURCESEvery form of energy generation has advantages and disadvantages as shown in the table

below.

Source Advantages Disadvantages

Coal

Inexpensive Easy to recover

Requires expensive air pollutioncontrols (e.g. mercury, sulfur

dioxide)

Significant contributor to acid rainand global warming

Requires extensive transportationsystem

Nuclear

Fuel is inexpensive

Energy generation is the mostconcentrated source

Waste is more compact than anysource

Extensive scientific basis for thecycle

Easy to transport as new fuel No greenhouse or acid rain effects

Requires larger capital cost becauseof emergency, containment,radioactive waste and storage

systems

Requires resolution of the long-term high level waste storage issue

in most countries

Potential nuclear proliferation issue

Hydroelectric

Very inexpensive once dam is built Government has invested heavily in

building dams.

Very limited source since dependson water elevation

Many dams available are currentlyexist (not much of a futuresource[depends on country])

Dam collapse usually leads to lossof life

Dams have affected fish (e.g.salmon runs)

Environmental damage for areasflooded (backed up) and

downstream

Gas / Oil

Good distribution system forcurrent use levels

Better as space heating energysource

Very limited availability as shownby shortages during winters severalyears ago

Could be major contributor toglobal warming

Very expensive for energygeneration

Large price swings with supply anddemand

Liquified Natural Gas storagefacilities and gas transmission

systems have met opposition from

environmentalists.


17/23


17

Wind

Wind is free if available Good source for periodic water

pumping demands of farms as used

earlier in 1900's

Generation and maintenance costshave decreased significantly. Wind

is proving to be a reasonable cost

renewable source.

Well suited to rural areas.

Need 3x the amount of installedgeneration to meet demand

Limited to windy areas. Limited to small generator size;

need many towers.

Highly climate dependent - windcan damage equipment during

windstorms or not turn during still

summer days.

May affect endangered birds,however tower design can reduce

impact..

Solar

Sunlight is free when available Costs are dropping.

Limited to sunny areas throughoutthe world (demand can be highest

when least available, e.g. winter

solar heating)

Does require special materials formirrors/panels that can affect

environment

Current technology requires largearea of land for small amounts of

energy generation

Biomass

Industry in its infancy Could create jobs because smaller

plants would be used

Inefficient if small plants are used Could be significant contributor to

global warming because fuel has

low heat content

Refuse

Based Fuel

Fuel can have low cost Could create jobs because smaller

plants would be used

Low sulfur dioxide emissions

Inefficient if small plants are used Could be significant contributor to

global warming because fuel has

low heat content

Flyash can contain metals ascadmium and lead

Contain dioxins and furans in airand ash releases

Hydrogen

Combines easily with oxygen toproduce water and energy

Very costly to produce Takes more energy to produce

hydrogen then energy that could be

recovered.

Fusion

Hydrogen and tritium could be usedas fuel source

Higher energy output per unit massthan fission

Low radiation levels associated withprocess than fission-based reactors

Breakeven point has not beenreached after ~40 years of

expensive research and

commercially available plants not

expected for at least 35 years.


18/23


18

E. PROFILE & ENERGY SOURCES OF MALAYSIAi. Electricity demand trends and electricity generation capacity

a. Peninsular Malaysia (2006 ~ 2010)

b. Sarawak (2006 ~ 2010)

c. Sabah (2006 ~ 2010)

At a glance, Malaysia electricity demand each year has increased continuously.


19/23


19

ii. Electricity energy sources of Malaysia

Malaysia main sources of electricity generation is gas based power plantwhich 52.15% from total capacity and coal based power plant placed second

with 39.50%.

This indicate Malaysia rely so much on fossil fuel power plant which highlyexposed to fluctuation of its price.

The fossil fuel is also gradiently running out throughout the year which willcontributed much higher price in the market.

Gas

52.15%

Coals

39.50%

Hydro

5.11%

Diesel

1.25%

Biomass

1.01%

Oil

0.78%

Others

0.20%

ELECTRICITY GENERATION SOURCE IN

MALAYSIA

Gas

Coals

Hydro

Diesel

Biomass

OilOthers


20/23


20

F. CONCLUSIONi. Since Malaysia in depend so much on fossil fuel, nuclear energy is the next

generation power sources which is probably the most viable and relevant power

source to replace fossil fuel energy.

ii. Price hike and fluctuation of fossil fuel these day will contribute to high electricityprice paid by the consumer, while the electricity generation cost by nuclear is

much more stable and competitive.

iii. It is expected by 2020, Malaysias natural gas is to run out. By that time, ifMalaysia still rely on gas for electricity generation, Malaysia will have to import

gas at much high international price which mean electricity price will rise as well.

iv. The electricity demand in Malaysia increasing continously each year. If thistrends continue, Malaysia government has to figured a way to meet the demand.

It is not smart to just depend of fossil fuel anymore. Others sources of energy is

available but the range of capacity produced cant be compare to nuclear power

plant. Among its reason:

a. Solar power plant it requires large area but only produced small capacity ofelectricity. For example, the largest solar plant in US, the Nevada Solar One

with capacity of 64MW, taking area of 400 acres can only produced an

average 370,000 kWh per day.

b. This goes the same for wind based plant and biomass power plant. We haveto admit that such facility will never succeed to replace countrys main power

generator.

c. Coals the used of this type of power plant will emitted million tons ofgreenhouse gases each year. It is not enviromental friendly. Nuclear energy

on the other hand, will not. The price of coals also not stable and expected to

increase each year.

d. Hydro effect the flora & fauna due to it construction and operation.v. If Malaysia wants a reliable source of power that is also reasonably priced in the

future, all roads lead to nuclear energy.

vi. Malaysia has long term plan to become a developed nation by 2020. Cheap andreasonable price energy is a must since it is factor to attract investor and boost

industrial activities.

vii. Even Malaysias neighbouring country such as Indonesia & Thailand already hasplan to build nuclear power plant. If we oppose the existance of nuclear power


21/23


21

plant here in Malaysia, we should oppose the existance of nuclear power plant at

our neighbouring countries if safety factor were concern. Since were are very

closed.

viii. If Malaysia decide to have nuclear power plant, a thorough and full details studyof every aspect must be made to ensure its safe operation. Malaysia government

should plan and act now because it is not only about contruction of the plant,

Malaysia should start now to generate human capital, develop local experties,

enchance technical know how and promote public awareness. Malaysia have to

choose this next power generation not by option but as a neccessities.

ix. Malaysia actually has start on doing research on nuclear technology and alreadyhave its own nuclear reactor known as Reaktor Triga Puspati since 1982 for the

sole purpose of research and development. What need to now is to take one

more step ahead.

Nuclear power plant


22/23


22

G.MALAYSIA PROFILE AT A GLANCE


23/23


H.SOURCE OF REFERENCES1. http://www.nei.org/2. http://www.mosti.gov.my/3. http://www.iaea.org/4. http://www.nucleartourist.com/5. http://www.tnb.com.my/6. http://www.kettha.gov.my/7. http://www.world-nuclear.org8. Suruhanjaya Tenaga Malaysia

Documents

Nucklear Power Plant - Malaysia