Nuclear Energy Talk

IMechE Uniten Student Chapter has successfully organized its first lecture talk series of the semester which was entitled “TNB Nuclear Energy Initiatives, Nuclear Reactor Technology and Fuel Cycle”. We were fortunate to have Prof. Dr. Mohd Zamzam Bin Jaafar (Head, Nuclear Energy Taskforce, TNB) to grace us with his experience regarding the nuclear energy field.
Date: 27 February 2009 (Friday)
Time: 3 pm to 5 pm
Venue: COIT Lecture Theater (BW-G-R28)
College of IT, Putrajaya Campus
UNITEN
Speaker: Prof. Dr. Mohd Zamzam Bin Jaafar
(Head, Nuclear Energy Taskforce, TNB)
Title of Talk: TNB Nuclear Energy Initiatives, Nuclear Reactor Technology and Fuel Cycle

Outline of the Talk:
1. Update on TNB’s Nuclear Unit activities to build national consensus and make nuclear energy a VALID option for electricity generation in Peninsular Malaysia
2. Nuclear Reactor Technology with respect to nuclear reactors in operation and being constructed
3. Some pertinent issues relating to nuclear fuel cycle

The primary objective of this talk was to build a national consensus to make nuclear energy as a valid option for electricity generation in Peninsular Malaysia in next few years. It is also the most promising option. In the prospects of students, Nuclear Engineering and Knowledge are essential for Malaysia to progress forward. Current students are not merely future opinion leaders, but more importantly they are implementers of the pioneer NPP.
It was the second time around that Prof. Dr. Mohd Zamzam was sharing with us regarding the nuclear energy field. He started the lecture talk series by giving the audience an update on the activities done by TNB’s Nuclear Unit since his last lecture talk series. He went on by explaining in depth regarding the operations involved in nuclear reactors and also their construction. Nuclear energy proved to be more viable as compared to other energy producing resources such as coal, fuel and biomass as these resources will deplete in near future, not to mention the vast amount of waste and pollution produced and thus incurring more money into handling them.

Information was presented through PowerPoint slides. Statistical data was shown as evident that the nuclear energy is a viable option for electricity generation. Some interesting issues were shared with us relating to the nuclear fuel cycle. It became obvious to us that we cannot rely on fuel and coal as eternal energy resources. Studies have begun on making nuclear energy the primary energy producing resource, and it is therefore at utmost importance that we start educating the younger generations regarding nuclear energy as they will be the backbone of not only the country but the entire world. The talk ended at sharp 5pm and guests were invited for some light refreshments.