Latest news with #SingaporeNuclearResearchandSafetyInstitute
Straits Times
21-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
New research institute will grow S'pore's talent in nuclear energy, safety
Find out what's new on ST website and app. On July 11, a new Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute was launched. SINGAPORE - With discussions on nuclear energy progressing around the world, Singapore is now building its expertise in this area with the launch of a new nuclear research and safety institute. On July 11, the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute (SNRSI) was launched with an expanded research scope, additional funding, and an aim to train up 100 nuclear experts by 2030 – up from the 50 today. The institute's predecessor was the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative, which did not have its own building. There are at least two benefits of training Singapore's own pool of talent in this area. First, it could help Singapore better assess the suitability of deploying nuclear energy reactors here. Given different geographies, countries will have different access to energy resources. Some may be more endowed with renewable energy resources, such as wind or solar, compared to other nations, which may have to look to alternatives such as nuclear or geothermal energy. Even for countries considering nuclear energy, what works in one location may not work in another. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes into college campus Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region Singapore NTU introduces compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026 Singapore Fine, driving ban for bus driver who hit lorry, causing fractures to passenger and injuring 16 others Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip This is where it is essential to have talent with a keen understanding of local constraints and considerations, to be able to properly assess the risks and benefits of incorporating nuclear energy into the energy mix. Second, given that other countries in South-east Asia have indicated interest in tapping nuclear energy, local capabilities will put Singapore in a better position to understand the technology. This could improve national response to any radiological incidents in the region, should they occur. Five Asean countries – Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand – have said they are either studying the feasibility of advanced nuclear technology to meet their growing energy needs, or already have plans to build new reactors in the coming decades. Dr Michael Short, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's department of nuclear science and engineering, said the new institute will better help Singapore assess risks from regional nuclear facilities, and domestic ones as well if the Republic decides to deploy them. 'If Singapore doesn't build up nuclear expertise, it will be left both behind and at unknown risk of issues from Asean neighbours,' he said. But if the country were to build up its domestic capabilities in nuclear, it could boost its domestic risk assessments, and ensure greater safety for the region. Dr Victor Nian, founding co-chairman of independent think-tank Centre for Strategic Energy and Resources, said the launch of the institute is important for Singapore to 'accelerate its capacity building' in nuclear energy. SNRSI can help advance Singapore's collective knowledge in nuclear energy, he said. The institute can also help Singapore get plugged into international nuclear dialogues and collaborations, which could boost the Republic's engagement in nuclear research and public engagement. The launch of the institute is a significant step forward in the nation's approach to nuclear energy. In 2012, Singapore had initially considered atomic power unsuitable for the small island state. Dr Alvin Chew, senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at NTU, said Singapore had mooted the idea of nuclear energy deployment almost two decades ago to shore up its energy resilience. But the large conventional nuclear fission plants, which are the predominant types in operation currently, were not suitable for the densely populated country. Under regulations set by the UN atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, an emergency planning zone outside the facility is needed for the location of a nuclear power plant, he said. Since then, there have been multiple advancements from Singapore's original position. In particular, small modular reactors gained traction in the mid-2010s, said Dr Chew. These reactors are thought to be more suitable for land-scarce, population-dense Singapore as they have a lower power capacity, enhanced safety standards and require much smaller buffer zones, compared with conventional reactors. 'Therefore, Singapore is keeping the nuclear option open as SMRs will be deployed in the near future,' he said. In 2022, a report by the Energy Market Authority mentioned that emerging technology, including nuclear and geothermal, could potentially supply around 10 per cent of Singapore's energy needs by 2050. The EMA, which monitors emerging energy technologies, has also gone on learning trips to other countries such as the UK and Germany to learn from the best minds in nuclear energy. Singapore has also signed agreements with other countries to learn more about the nuclear technologies and scientific research. The new institute marks the next step in the country's journey: from a horizon scan of emerging nuclear technologies to investing in its own capabilities for research. Safety will continue to be a focus. This is key, since the impacts of a nuclear accident will be more consequential in densely populated areas like in Singapore, said Dr Chew. For example, the new five-storey building will have nuclear safety simulation labs where researchers create computer software to model virtual replicas of advanced reactors and run accident scenarios to assess their risks and what could happen during a meltdown. Studies are also done in radiobiology labs to assess the effects of chronic, low-dose radiation on the human body. Dr Dinita Setyawati, a senior energy analyst at energy think-tank Ember, said the nuclear safety research signals to the public that any potential deployment is grounded in scientific evidence and robust safety standards. This could go some ways in establishing long-term public trust. Experts have said that engagement with the public on the risks and benefits of nuclear energy is critical, as public perception could influence policy decisions. A good starting point to gauge public perception would be to carry out surveys to understand the public's level of awareness, as well as opinion, on the use of nuclear energy.
CNA
11-07-2025
- Science
- CNA
Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute to receive S$66m grant
Singapore is setting aside S$66 million in grants to boost nuclear safety research. The new Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute will also assess the potential use of nuclear energy in the country. Located at the National University of Singapore campus, the institute will expand its future research areas to include methods for detecting radiation. It aims to hire 100 staff by 2030. Nicolas Ng reports.
Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore steps up nuclear viability research with new institute and $66m in additional funds
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The new Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute building was launched on July 11. SINGAPORE - The Republic's research initiative on nuclear safety is progressing further with a new institute, additional $66 million in funding, and an expanded research scope that will help Singapore better evaluate nuclear power's viability for the city-state. Such research areas include studying nuclear waste, conducting accident simulations of advanced reactors, expanding on nuclear policy studies and studying the deployment of underground reactors. The Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute (SNRSI) in NUS was officially launched on July 11 by National Research Foundation chairman Heng Swee Keat. The institute's predecessor was the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative. It did not have its own building, and was housed in the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise Tower in NUS. 'As an institute, it will now partner international laboratories to develop expertise in reactor simulation and modelling to analyse the safety of reactor designs,' said Mr Heng. 'This will enable it, over time, to build capabilities to assess aspects of the safety of small modular reactor (SMR) designs and their suitability for domestic deployment,' he added. SMRs are advanced and compact reactors that can be factory-assembled and installed in dense urban areas. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business S'pore to launch new grant for companies, expand support for workers amid US tariff uncertainties World Trump to use presidential authority to send weapons to Ukraine, sources say World Trump nominates 'alpha male' influencer to be ambassador to Malaysia Opinion Whisper it softly, there's a new Japan rising Business Popiah king Sam Goi makes $123.5 million offer to buy rest of PSC Business Company in talks to buy Esso petrol stations in Singapore, said to be worth $1.28 billion: Sources World The $12.8m bag: Original Birkin smashes records at Paris auction Asia Tariffs overshadow diplomacy as Asean foreign ministers press on with meetings They are also known to be safer than traditional, large reactors, but are now mainly still at a research phase. The initiative was started in 2014 as Singapore's first foray into nuclear research, and had a large focus on nuclear safety and building talent. For example, the initiative had partnered with Ukraine to study organisms and blood samples from one of the most radioactive places on earth – the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Over 30 scholarships have also been awarded for students to pursue postgraduate studies in areas related to nuclear science and engineering. 'In the decade from 2014, we have invested more than $150 million in initiating research, developing talent and setting up this new building that we are in,' said Mr Heng. A government study in 2012 had shown that nuclear technologies of that time were unsuitable for deployment in the city-state. But nuclear technologies have evolved since then to include smaller, safer reactors that could be used in Singapore. Amid growing international interest in tapping carbon-free nuclear energy, the new SNRSI will expand on studying emerging nuclear technologies, nuclear policy and educating the public about atomic power, which tends to incite fear due to a few high-profile meltdowns. The $66 million grant by the NRF will help the institute expand work in five areas. These include safety, nuclear policy, the dispersion of radioactive particles, the impact of radiation on living things, and the rapid detection of elevated levels of radioactivity. The grant amount was given under the NRF's research, innovation and enterprise 2025 plan, and will last 2.5 years from December 2024. On deepening international partnerships, NUS president Tan Eng Chye pointed to how the institute has set up a joint lab with the French Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection on seven joint research projects. SNRSI aims to 'become an authoritative source of information and advice on policies for the governance of nuclear energy,' it said in a statement. Mr Heng added that SNRSI has joined the International Atomic Energy Agency's research programme to study and identify viable options to manage used nuclear fuel and waste from different SMR technologies. 'Waste management will likely be a critical factor for public support for domestic nuclear deployment, if and when pursued,' he noted. Features of the new building Built in the middle of a small, forested area along King George's Park, the new five-storey institute has a curved facade to avoid felling two large trees next to it. The institute is curved because it wanted to protect the two large trees next to it. PHOTO: SNRSI Highly radioactive activities and equipment that release radiation are housed in the basement. Those equipment, called irradiators, are used to send pulses of radiation to zebrafish embryos in biological studies, or test the accuracy of radiation detection meters used in local industries. The screen shows zebrafish embryos exposed to radiation. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO The testing of devices is done by NEA's irradiator at its secondary standards dosimetry laboratory in the building. The lab provides radiation protection services for some 14,000 people islandwide who are exposed to radiation in their jobs. As a precaution, the institute's irradiators are enclosed in 60cm-thick bunker-style concrete walls to block radiation, while air filtration units remove potentially radioactive particles from the fume hood exhaust. NEA's irradiator (background) is shielded by walls 60cm thick. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO And due to the terrain on which the building stands, the irradiators point to the soil under the slope of Kent Ridge, and this further protects people in the building. The door to NEA's secondary standards dosimetry laboratory remains secure. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Singapore has not made a decision to go nuclear. But since it has limited access to renewable energy, nuclear is among various low-carbon sources that the country is looking into while keeping in mind energy security, affordability and carbon footprint. Dr Christelle Chua, SNSRI senior research scientist, showing the X-Ray irradiator which can deliver both high and low dose rates. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had in his Budget speech in February made clear that Singapore will study the potential deployment of nuclear power here. The country's stance on the controversial power source has been shifting since 2022. That year, a report by the Energy Market Authority mentioned that emerging technology, including nuclear and geothermal, could potentially supply around 10 per cent of Singapore's energy needs by 2050. Mr Heng noted that while no Asean countries have an operational nuclear plant, some have announced plans for deployment, such as the Philippines by the early 2030s and Indonesia by 2040. 'Capability building will help us understand the implications of nuclear developments in the region and ensure we are prepared if our neighbours choose to deploy nuclear energy,' he said. NEA said in a statement: '(The national) monitoring system serves as a crucial safeguard against transboundary pollution, particularly significant amid the growing interest in nuclear energy programmes across the region.' The NEA manages a suite of tools to keep track of ambient radiation levels, including around 40 radiation monitoring stations for air and water islandwide. In March, ST reported that Singapore's coastal monitoring network will be upgraded to include sensors that can measure radioactivity in the waters. The agency is also working with other countries in the region to set up a South-east Asian early warning network with sensors deployed across the countries and data shared in the event of an emergency. Research areas One of SNRSI's research pillars, which looks into the dispersion of radioactive particles, will further help with monitoring efforts. The institute has a team that models how radioactive pollutants might disperse through the atmosphere or water, within an urban environment to over 2,000km. A showcase of NEA's network of radiation sensors and quick deployment unit (middle). PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Some levels of radiation exists all around us, and the amount of natural radiation a person in Singapore is exposed to over 24 hours is 0.0024 millisieverts, according to NEA's website. An airline passenger is exposed to 0.19 millisieverts of radiation on a long flight between Tokyo and New York. A high dose of 1,000 millisieverts will cause radiation poisoning – a life-threatening condition that includes vomiting, nausea and rectal bleeding. SNRSI has also been doing computer modelling to study the safety of advanced technologies such as SMRs. Dr Than Yan Ren, a SNRSI researcher showing a model of a type of SMR called the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO The researchers create computer software to model virtual replicas of existing SMRs, and run accident scenarios to assess their risks and what could happen during a meltdown. In the future, SNRSI is planning to develop a nuclear reactor simulator for research. SNRSI will next study the deployment of SMRs underground to optimise land use here, and reduce the risk of any unlikely radioactive leak. On human health, while the dangers of high levels of radiation are well-known, how the body responds to continuous low-dose radiation is an area that SNRSI wants to contribute to. While studying human cells that are exposed to low doses of cesium – a radioactive substance – over a couple months, the researchers found that some of the cells had damaged DNA, which the cells were able to repair on their own. The cells were exposed to one millisievert of radiation per hour - or about 400 times the background radiation experienced by a person in Singapore in one day. Like an immune boost, those cells were later able to repair their DNA better than unexposed cells when fired with higher doses of radiation. SNRSI will study this further. Mr Heng added that the institute will ramp up research on the effects of low-dose radiation on humans by 'studying the impact on our local population with our unique ethnic and geographical landscape'. Contaminated samples delivered by IAEA over the years. ST PHOTO: SHABANA BEGUM The institute currently has around 50 experts who specialise in nuclear engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, material science, law and policy studies. With talent building close to its heart, SNRSI plans to have 100 nuclear experts in its building by 2030.
