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The state of nuclear power two years after Fukushima – The ASEAN perspective

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  • Nian, Victor
  • Chou, S.K.

Abstract

Given the need to rein in the rise in the global average temperature, decarbonizing the electricity sector, which accounts for nearly 50% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is crucial. The suitability of nuclear power as a base-load technology and its relatively negligible GHG emissions raised expectations of a nuclear renaissance, until the Fukushima disaster brought discussions about nuclear power’s potential to a standstill. However, completely ruling out nuclear may not be sustainable owing to the realities of rising energy demand, climate change considerations, and the need for reliable base-load supply technology, especially in the case of fast growing economies in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Fukushima disaster was a wake-up call for both governments and the nuclear industry. Led by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the more advanced economies conducted stringent reviews of safety standards and emergency response procedures in the event of a catastrophe. Meanwhile the industry responded with strong commitments towards “Fukushima proof” designs, alongside other advancements towards “safer” fission power. In the ASEAN context, we argue in this paper that in addition to the economic advantage, nuclear power can help address the twin objectives of energy security and mitigating climate change effects. In ASEAN, there is still a strong momentum towards nuclear power development due to strategic considerations. In this paper, we reviewed in a holistic approach the various factors influencing decision making on nuclear power. Using ASEAN as a case study, we argue that nuclear power remains an important option and should be taken up rapidly if decarbonizing electricity generation is a grave concern. We also provide some recommendations towards the “safer nuclear” for ASEAN at the end of this paper.

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  • Nian, Victor & Chou, S.K., 2014. "The state of nuclear power two years after Fukushima – The ASEAN perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 838-848.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:136:y:2014:i:c:p:838-848
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.04.030
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nian, Victor & Ghori, Amjad & Guerra, Eddie M. & Locatelli, Giorgio & Murphy, Paul, 2022. "Accelerating safe small modular reactor development in Southeast Asia," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    2. Nian, Victor & Jindal, Gautam & Li, Hailong, 2019. "A feasibility study on integrating large-scale battery energy storage systems with combined cycle power generation – Setting the bottom line," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 396-408.
    3. Yabo Wang & Victor Nian & Hailong Li & Jun Yuan, 2018. "Life Cycle Analysis of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Power Generation in the Context of Southeast Asia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-18, June.
    4. Rabindra Nepal & Han Phoumin & Abiral Khatri, 2021. "Green Technological Development and Deployment in the Association of Southeast Asian Economies (ASEAN)—At Crossroads or Roundabout?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-19, January.
    5. Nian, Victor, 2015. "Change impact analysis on the life cycle carbon emissions of energy systems – The nuclear example," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 437-450.
    6. Nian, Victor & Hari, M.P. & Yuan, Jun, 2019. "A new business model for encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles in the absence of policy support," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 1106-1117.
    7. Nian, Victor & Mignacca, Benito & Locatelli, Giorgio, 2022. "Policies toward net-zero: Benchmarking the economic competitiveness of nuclear against wind and solar energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    8. Nian, Victor, 2016. "Analysis of interconnecting energy systems over a synchronized life cycle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 1024-1036.
    9. Nian, Victor & Liu, Yang & Zhong, Sheng, 2019. "Life cycle cost-benefit analysis of offshore wind energy under the climatic conditions in Southeast Asia – Setting the bottom-line for deployment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 1003-1014.
    10. Mujammil Asdhiyoga Rahmanta & Andrew Cahyo Adhi & Handrea Bernando Tambunan & Wigas Digwijaya & Natalina Damanik & Rahmat Adiprasetya Al Hasibi, 2023. "An Analysis of National Position, Opportunity, and Challenge of Indonesia’s Nuclear Program to Support Net-Zero Emissions by 2060," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-37, December.
    11. Kosai, Shoki & Yamasue, Eiji, 2019. "Recommendation to ASEAN nuclear development based on lessons learnt from the Fukushima nuclear accident," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 628-635.
    12. Tingzhu Li & Debin Du & Xueli Wang & Xionghe Qin, 2022. "Can Nuclear Power Products Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions? Evidence from Global Trade Network," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-25, June.
    13. Bo Li & Victor Nian & Xunpeng Shi & Hailong Li & Augustin Boey, 2020. "Perspectives of energy transitions in East and Southeast Asia," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 9(1), January.

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