The need for technological innovation cannot be separated from the availability of energy, especially electricity. Energy becomes the national need that will continue to increase both in terms of demand and meeting basic needs, but its availability is inversely proportional to the increase in population.
Indonesia is projected to not be able to survive if it only relies on fossil energy sources that have been the focus. Thus, alternative energy is needed that is ready to meet the burden of national and sustainable electricity at the same time. Nuclear, has become an alternative energy source that has the potential to overcome these needs.
But on the other hand, nuclear still has a traumatic effect among the people and results in a thick level of resistance. Nuclear events that have occurred in other countries have become one of the considerations of the public (and government) for Indonesia’s readiness to develop this core power.
Even though more than 60 years have managed the use of technology and nuclear research reactors, efforts to convince the public, policymakers, and stakeholders need to be continued and optimized. One of them is by continuing to introduce and disseminate the information so that the public understands the urgency and benefits of the risks of nuclear technology.
Against this background, FMIPA UI, and ILUNI FMIPA UI in collaboration with BATAN held a One-Day Seminar entitled “NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS, A INEVITABILITY“, on Wednesday (11/13/2019) at the Sinarmas Hall, Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory Building UI, Campus UI, Depok, by presenting the Minister of Research and Technology (Menristek) / Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Prof. Bambang PS Brodjonegoro, and head of the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN) Anhar Riza Antariksawan as the Keynote Speaker.
The Dean of FMIPA UI Prof. Dr. rer nat. Abdul Haris officially opened this event. in his remarks, he said, as an academic institution, FMIPA UI had the role of research and community service, therefore, academicians felt the need to oversee technological development, one of which was nuclear.
In line with Prof. Haris, Chair of the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (ILUNI FMIPA UI) Pamela Cardinale, explained the mastery of science and technology is one of the keys to the success of the sustainable national development process. Technology is also increasingly familiar in people’s daily lives and the need for technological innovation cannot be separated from the availability of energy, especially electricity.
Energy becomes a national need that will continue to increase both in terms of demand and meeting basic needs, but its availability is inversely proportional to the increase in population. Indonesia is projected to not be able to survive if it only relies on fossil energy sources that have been the focus. Alternative energy is needed that is ready to meet the burden of national and sustainable electricity at the same time. Nuclear, has become an alternative energy source that has the potential to overcome these needs.
“There have been many studies from the academic community such as UI submitted as input to the government, but why has the PLTN not been realized until now? For this reason, ILUNI FMIPA UI wants to contribute in encouraging the government to immediately realize PLTN, one of which is through this One Day Seminar, “Pamela added.
Minister of Research and Technology Bambang said Indonesia can manage nuclear for the benefit of national development and public welfare, including in developing electrical energy through the use of nuclear technology.
According to him, the dissemination and dissemination of nuclear use and nuclear security must be done to all Indonesian people to provide insight for those who do not understand that nuclear power plants are safe and can produce electricity for national needs.
“It needs to be explained that the world is different now, that the evidence of nuclear technology is used everywhere and the incidents are also now very small and can be handled (handled), the most important is our ability to maintain and maintain,” he said.
Furthermore, he said after mastering nuclear technology, it must also be mastered by aspects of maintaining nuclear power plants and the safety of nuclear power plants with higher utilization of domestic components.
The Minister of Research and Technology Bambang encouraged the National Nuclear Energy Agency to continue to update technological sophistication by adopting the latest technology. Indonesia can also learn from nuclear power plant developers abroad in the context of strengthening self-preparation if at any time nuclear power plants must be built immediately.
Meanwhile, the Head of BATAN Anhar Riza Antariksawan said that his party was ready and continues to work to disseminate information about security and safety in the use of nuclear technology to the public, especially ordinary people and those who are anti-nuclear.
Anhar also mentioned that BATAN was only given the task of being an R&D institute, where its application or utilization was limited to non-commercial ones, even if the commercial was the only service and had to work with third parties.
“Actually, when talking about nuclear power or nuclear energy in every discussion forum and even the debate, the issues that arise are still almost similar to 30 years ago. But there is one that is encouraging for me, at this time talking about PLTN is not only from BATAN but from many other parties, because the problem of nuclear power or nuclear energy is not only BATAN’s business but it is a concern for all of us, so we all deserve to think together, “Anhar said.
