Supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the research programme on energy and human security presently examines two major issues: the future of nuclear energy and governance in Southeast Asia and energy vulnerability and collaboration in East Asia. However, while these fields are often discussed in a geopolitical context, the programme approaches them through a distinct human security paradigm which stresses not just availability, consistency, and non-discriminatory access but also considers inter-related factors involved, such as environmental and security risks. The programme has produced a wide range of publications through RSIS and the Centre for NTS Studies. To date, it has organised and will be embarking upon the following projects to further the programme’s research pursuits:
- Project on Nuclear Energy and Human Security: Critical Debates
In the face of climate change and a projected increase in power consumption, nuclear energy has become a focal point of interest among policymakers across Asia. As such, there has been significant research focusing on the potential of nuclear energy expansion in the region. However, the road to nuclear energy development in the region is not entirely smooth-sailing. Pertinent issues related to environmental, economic and security risks continue to dominate the nuclear debate. As such, the project titled Nuclear Energy and Human Security: Critical Debates was initiated in September 2009 in an attempt to explore these issues.
As part of this project, a workshop on Nuclear Energy and Human Security was convened on 23 April 2010, at Traders Hotel in Singapore. It brought together a total of about 60 participants, mostly from the Singapore Government, to engage in a day’s discussion on the merits and drawbacks of nuclear energy in the context of the environment, economics, security. In addition, the role of CSOs in nuclear energy policymaking was also discussed,
It is hoped that the debates fleshed out in the workshop will help policymakers arrive at policy decisions more effectively and help anyone interested in nuclear energy understand the debated issues more thoroughly.
As a follow-up to the workshop, a commentary titled ‘Can Nuclear Energy Enhance Nuclear Security in Southeast Asia?’, written by Ryan Clarke, Nur Azha Putra, Mely Caballero-Anthony and Rajesh Basrur, was published.
Summaries of Papers Presented
A total of seven chapters were presented: two each on the environmental, economic and security aspects, as well as one on the role of civil society. These papers will contribute to an edited volume titled Nuclear Energy and Human Security: Critical Debates. The brief summaries of these chapters are outlined below.
Nuclear Power and the Environment: Facts vs Fiction
Dr T S Gopi Rethinaraj
Assistant Professor
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
National University of Singapore
Contrary to common public perceptions, nuclear energy does not pose environmental risks which are ‘dramatic’. The radiation levels of nuclear reactors are often lower than the background radiation humans are typically exposed to and there is no scientific consensus on the implications of low-level radiation. Moreover, nuclear reactors do not explode like a nuclear bomb since a reactor meltdown can be well contained with the advent of modern, safer nuclear technology. Given the present context of rising energy needs and climate change, a complete halt in nuclear power plant construction and spent fuel processing is almost impossible to achieve. Nonetheless, environmental risks associated with nuclear energy can still be effectively controlled through attainable levels of safety in nuclear energy operations.
Critical Environmental Questions: Nuclear Energy and Human Security in Asia
Associate Professor Simon Tay
Chairman
Singapore Institute of International Affairs
The environmental risks of nuclear energy have to be viewed from a broader perspective. Rather than just focusing on the technical aspects of nuclear operations, the culture of safety has to be scrutinised. In the case of Southeast Asia, the culture of safety in common industrial operations leaves much to be desired. Compounding this situation in Southeast Asia is a prevailing culture of secrecy in policymaking that obstructs better public understanding. This has to be rectified with transparent and publicly-accountable nuclear energy policymaking. The conservative, sustainable development perspective does not exclude the nuclear option. However, a precautionary principle needs to be heeded in nuclear energy policymaking.
Nuclear Energy and Economic Costs
Professor Kazuaki Matsui
Executive Director
Institute of Applied Energy
Japan
Among several factors which need to be considered for the costing of nuclear-generated electricity, expenses associated with facility siting, licensing, uncertainty risks and construction capital costs are arguably most critical. These investment capital costs account for 60 per cent of the total cost of nuclear-generated electricity, which is highly sensitive to overnight construction costs and investment capital. Nonetheless, in comparison with other clean energy options, nuclear remains attractive in terms of cost risks. To provide for an investment climate conducive for nuclear industries, investment risks need to be better understood and limited to acceptable levels.
Economics of Nuclear and Renewable Electricity
Dr Mark Diesendorf
Deputy Director
Institute of Environmental Studies
University of New South Wales
Australia
The costs of nuclear-generated electricity can only be accurately evaluated alongside various other clean energy alternatives. Nuclear energy is only economical at the commercial and pre-commercial stages. It still requires backup in times of contingency, thus hiding the true costs. Moreover, accurate gauges of real nuclear-generated electricity costs are also hindered by the tendency of planners to accept nuclear plant manufacturers’ cost estimates, of selecting unrealistically low discount rates and of using accounting methods that underestimate capital costs. Major financial hurdles exist to hinder attempts in uncovering lower-cost nuclear technologies such as modularised reactors. The key drawback of nuclear energy lies in proliferation risks, with which renewable energy technologies are not saddled.
Nuclear Energy and Security Risks: Is the Expansion of Nuclear Power Compatible with Global Peace and Security?
Dr Jor-Shan Choi
Professor
Global Centre of Excellence Program
Nuclear Education and Research Initiative
University of Tokyo
Japan
Despite its contributions and great potential, the expansion of nuclear faces significant challenges in nuclear proliferation, security, and spent fuel/waste management. Other threats to the expansion of nuclear energy includes nuclear terrorism executed by rogue actors, weak enforcement of the non-proliferation regime, the potential of nuclear weaponisation under the guise of peaceful uses, and closed fuel cycle as a ‘latent proliferation’ concern. The world can no longer afford to continue a ‘business-as-usual’ approach towards nuclear security. A new strategy that helps secure and draw down excess weapons-usable materials and leverage upon technology to reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation should be adopted by the international community.
Security Aspects of the Growth of Nuclear Power
Mr Miles A. Pomper
Senior Research Associate
James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies
Washington DC, United States of America
Joint Paper with
Mr Cole Harvey
Research Associate
James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies
Washington DC, United States of America
Uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing can support the civilian nuclear power industry, but they also can be exploited to generate fissile material for nuclear weapons. The expansion of nuclear energy use means more nuclear facilities and more fissile material in transit, thus providing greater target opportunities for terrorists. Moreover, nuclear power plants can also serve as a source of ‘dirty bombs’ or become ‘dirty bombs’ themselves – which is compounded by the non-uniform enhancement of nuclear facility security worldwide. Existing international efforts to bolster nuclear security represent more of a patchwork of arrangements than a concrete, focused effort to achieve an overarching international agreement. A balance between nuclear energy growth and proliferation resistance can be achieved, such as efforts to create a multilateral approach to the fuel cycle and the fostering of a nuclear security culture.
CSOs and Nuclear Energy in Southeast Asia: Cases of Engagement from Indonesia and the Philippines
Dr Mely Caballero-Anthony
Associate Professor and Head
Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
Nanyang Technological University
Joint Paper with
Mr Kevin Christopher D.G. Punzalan
Research Analyst
Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
Nanyang Technological University
and
Lina Alexandra
Researcher
Department of International Relations
Centre for Strategic Studies (CSIS), Jakarta
Indonesia
Though nascent to speak of, CSOs have lately experienced exponential growth in Southeast Asia. They are increasingly better organised and strategic in intra- and interstate interactions with other counterpart institutions. In the realm of nuclear energy policymaking, as it could be seen in the case of Indonesia and the Philippines, CSOs strive to provide alternative viewpoints and independent sources of information to the public. Moreover, they serve as credible alternative actors in proposing alternative policy ideas and frameworks. They also facilitate capacity-building for ‘bottom-up’ energy policy planning and endeavour to enhance governance through persuasion and/or advocacy.
A full conference report, video interviews, and slide presentations presented during the conference, can be found here.
- Seminar on Crafting a Technology Roadmap towards Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability in Singapore: Beginning the Journey
Speaker: Dr Michael Quah Cheng-Guan, Principal Fellow, Energy Studies Institute, 23 February 2010
The technology roadmap illustrates the need for technology. However, technology is a totally insufficient element for addressing the energy security challenges in our carbon-constrained world. While fossil fuels remain a ‘fuel reality’ over the next few decades, the world would gradually have to transition towards a future of alternative energy solutions. Doing so, Dr Quah contended in the seminar, would require an understanding of the ‘systems of systems’ interaction on the use of ‘low energy density’ sources such as solar energy and biofuels. To illustrate this point, he first highlighted the resource and environmental challenges the world faces. He then moved on to the need to strike a balance between economic development, energy security and environmental sustainability. Dr Quah then proposed some recommendations on improving energy security while promoting environmental sustainability, by combining technology with new thinking.
Click here for the seminar write-up.
- Project on Dealing with Energy Vulnerabilities: Case Studies of Cooperation and Collaboration in East Asia
Much literature on energy security in East Asia has focused on the dynamics of competition over resources and how potential conflicts could arise from this. While this perspective of analysis identifies potential risks and problems, it also precludes the possibility that cooperation is possible between the different states of the region. While the themes of competition and conflict will continue to be relevant in discussions on East Asian states and societies, concentrating solely on them risks overemphasising the vulnerabilities East Asian societies face in meeting their energy needs, precluding the exploration of cooperative solutions in addressing energy security.
Going beyond the themes of competition and conflict, this project endeavours to 1) examine cooperation and collaboration against the backdrop of continuing geopolitical uncertainties and tension as a central focus of inquiry, 2) fill a research and knowledge gap attributed to the general tendency to relate energy security to power politics while undervaluing the extent of interdependence in the chain of energy trade and product trade among nation-states in East Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific, and 3) examine how transnational projects of energy cooperation and collaboration have taken place in East Asia, despite the emphasis on geopolitics in determining policy. It is hoped that findings obtained from this project can stimulate debates about energy policymaking and institutionalisation in the region. The case studies centre on the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as China, Japan and South Korea. A key assumption underpinning this project is that shortages in and uncertainties over energy supplies – that is, energy vulnerabilities – constitute a normative part for these case countries under examination. An energy study group inception meeting was held on 4 June 2010, gathering interested energy-related scholars to discuss this issue and thereafter, commissioning research on selected topics. This will be followed by a regional energy workshop in December 2010 and culminate in an edited volume
In the face of supply instability and price volatility against the backdrop of surging global demand, energy security has been traditionally viewed among Asian countries as an indispensible component of their development strategies. As Asia has emerged from the financial crisis relatively unscathed compared to the West, Asian countries remain tipped for rapid economic growth. The sustenance of such development hinges in no small part on energy security. However, it is also important to note that energy security is not merely associated with the guarantee of secure access to affordably-priced fuel sources. The heavy reliance on fossil fuels carries far-reaching environmental and socio-economic consequences beyond the mere notion of supply security. These concerns include climate change with its attendant problems of rising sea levels and risks posed to the ecosystem, as well as political impact in the face of public dissatisfaction over rising energy prices.
