BRIN offers Undip research collaboration, aiming for a “safer” micro-fission nuclear power plant

Semarang – During a visit to the Center for Plasma Research at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics (FSM) of Diponegoro University (Undip), Semarang on Sunday, July 28, member of the Governing Board of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Tri Mumpuni encouraged nuclear experts to gather and discuss the potential for nuclear energy development in Indonesia.

“Whether to build or not, that will be a topic of discussion. But we must discuss it so that we are not left behind as a nation,” Tri said.

This collaboration between BRIN and Undip is expected to pave the way for the development of micro-fission nuclear power plants (PLTN) in Indonesia, providing safer and more sustainable energy solutions for the future. In her keynote speech, Dr. Tri Mumpuni emphasised the importance of technology for Indonesia’s future, especially in achieving zero carbon emissions by 2060.

Tri also emphasised the need for a realistic attitude in dealing with technology needs. According to him, it is time for nuclear to be reconsidered as a viable solution. “Nuclear used to be considered a taboo. I was among those who opposed the plan to build the Muria nuclear power plant in 1991 because there was no technology that was as safe as it is now,” she said.

However, with the current development of human resources (HR), Tri believes Indonesia has many expert researchers in the nuclear field. “In terms of human resources, we are much more prepared than we used to be. 33 years ago, we may not have had this many human resources. Now many have studied abroad and obtained the knowledge. It would be a shame if their knowledge is not utilised,” she continued.

Head of the Center for Plasma Research FSM Undip, Muhammad Nur, welcomed the invitation to research by BRIN. Undip has explored plasma technology, including Plasma Tokamak for nuclear fusion reactors.

“If (nuclear) fusion is heavy, Indonesia has not yet arrived, not even the world. But if fission is very possible. Moreover, there is new news about microfission, very small only (with a capacity of) 1-4 MegaWatt. Very small,” Nur explained.

Nur added that the fourth-generation nuclear technology developed today is much safer than previous generations, such as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant project in Russia and Fukushima in Japan.

“The fourth generation, I know that the waste has a short lifespan, active life, then (the size) is small. If it used to be 800 MW, now it’s 4 MW. 200 times smaller, very small, and it can be placed on distant islands,” he said.

“There is no discourse on development (of nuclear power plants), but this is a new discourse that the Indonesian people should start to be ‘aware’ that we need technology to survive,” Tri officially said. (Hartatik)

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