UNS — The Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) held a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), online signatory, with ThorCon International, Pte. Ltd., through Zoom Cloud Meetings, Wednesday (5/8/2020). The MoU was signed directly by the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, and ThorCon International Pte. Ltd., Head of Representative, Bob Soelaiman Effendi. This collaboration includes education, research, training, and the development of nuclear science and technology.
“Through this research, UNS and ThorCon International, Pte. Ltd., will conduct several types of research and developments in nuclear technology, especially the Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR) technology developed by ThorCon International, Pte. Ltd. Further, this collaboration will also cover education and training programs as well as other activities that can support the implementation of TMSR of ThorCon in Indonesia,” Prof. Jamal explains.
One of the main considerations in this collaboration is departing from the initial evaluation of ThorCon’s core design, conducted by UNS nuclear sector resource. “Considering that ThorCon International, Pte. Ltd., has obtained recommendations from the government to prepare the construction of the Thorium Power Plant Prototype (PLTT), the government requested ThorCon to do some reviews. Among others is a survey on the community acceptance and a socialization program in Bangka Belitung Province, which expected to be executed by UNS, by involving local community leaders and the Provincial Government,” Prof. Jamal adds.
Prof. Jamal expresses his gratitude to ThorCon International, Pte. Ltd., for the collaboration. “Following this signatory, I hope that there will be actual actions such as research, community engagement, joint studies, internships, and joint publications. To the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science (FMIPA) UNS, especially Undergraduate in Physics Study Program, Master Program in Physics, and Doctoral Program in Physics, can also take a role in this MoU implementation,” Prof. Jamal reveals.
Meanwhile, the representative of ThorCon International, Pte. Ltd., Bob Soelaiman Effendi, states that ThorCon International, Pte. Ltd., is a firm that operates in nuclear power plant and as an advanced nuclear development company. The firm aims to develop and establish a PLTT in Indonesia as an Independent Power Producer (IPP) without using the State Budget, by targeting a competitive selling price through gradual development. This can be achieved by establishing a prototype as a testing object before its commercial operation.
“PLTT is one of the solutions to replace Coal Fuelled Power Plant, considering that the coal reserves are starting to decrease and will increasingly run out. PLTT is not only safer but can also provide electricity on a large scale at low cost, moreover, under the National BPP that can reduce the basic electricity tariff,” Bob explains.
Additionally, Bob mentions that the PLTT will be more environmentally friendly by not producing CO2 emissions and has a small footprint, thus it will not interrupt its surrounding environment. “It is clear that PLTT will be the best solution for the energy transition toward a carbon-free economy, which we hope it can be academically examined,” Bob concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Dwi Hastuti