Chulalongkorn Professor Advises Thailand on SMR Preparation

Matichon•Economy•12h ago

Reader Briefing

Professor Dr. Somboon Ratsamee discusses the potential and preparation for Small Modular Reactors (SMR) during a Matichon seminar.

•The seminar 'NEW ENERGY FOR THAILAND' took place on August 26 at the Pullman King Power Hotel Bangkok (Rang Nam).
•Professor Dr. Somboon Ratsamee explained that SMRs are modular nuclear reactors typically around 300 megawatts in size.
•Professor Dr. Somboon Ratsamee emphasized that the maturity of SMR technology is expected within the next 5 to 10 years.
•Preparing for SMRs requires time to develop legal frameworks, technology transfer, and specialized nuclear engineers.

Overview

•Matichon organized a special seminar titled 'NEW ENERGY FOR THAILAND' on August 26 at the Pullman King Power Hotel Bangkok (Rang Nam).
•Professor Dr. Somboon Ratsamee stated that SMRs are flexible in management, project initiation, maintenance, and investment.
•Professor Dr. Somboon Ratsamee noted that there are nearly 70-80 SMR technologies being developed globally, with about 10 expected to reach prototype or operational stages in 10 years.
•Professor Dr. Somboon Ratsamee explained that SMRs can be used for both electricity generation and heat production for industry or hydrogen production.
•Professor Dr. Somboon Ratsamee asserted that Thailand still has time to screen which SMR technology is most appropriate for the country.
•Professor Dr. Somboon Ratsamee warned that infrastructure, legal frameworks, and personnel training cannot be established within only 2-5 years.
•Professor Dr. Somboon Ratsamee suggested that Thailand should have its own researchers to evaluate and select suitable technology based on risk assessment.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Matichon (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Professor Dr. Somboon Ratsamee

"The maturity of the technology will definitely occur in the next 5-10 years; therefore, I think we are not in a position to just wait and ignore it."

ความ maturity ของเทคโนโลยีกำลังจะเกิดขึ้นในช่วง 5-10 ปีข้างหน้าแน่ๆ เพราะฉะนั้น ผมคิดว่าเราไม่อยู่ในสถานะที่จะรอดูแล้วละเลยมัน

Professor Dr. Somboon Ratsamee

"At the very least, we should have our own researchers who can choose which technology is suitable for us."

อย่างน้อยควรมีนักวิจัยของเราเองที่พอจะเลือกได้ว่าเทคโนโลยีไหนเหมาะสมกับเรา

Key Entities

Person

Professor Dr. Somboon Ratsamee(ศ.ดร.สมบูรณ์ รัศมี)

Head of the Department of Nuclear Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University.

Mr. Ekarat Samintrapanya(นายเอกรัฐ สมินทรปัญญา)

Assistant Governor of Power Plant Planning, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).

Mr. Natee Sittiprasart(นายนที สิทธิประศาสน์)

Chairman of the Renewable Energy Industry Group, Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

Mr. Sirimet Leepagorn(นายศิริเมธ ลี้ภากรณ์)

President and Acting Chief Operating Officer of Global Power Synergy Public Company Limited (GPSC).

Mr. Bancha Chumchaivej(นายบัญชา ชุมชัยเวทย์)

The moderator of the seminar session.

Organization

Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University(คณะวิศวกรรมศาสตร์ จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย)ℹ️

The academic institution where Professor Dr. Somboon Ratsamee heads the Department of Nuclear Engineering.

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)(การไฟฟ้าฝ่ายผลิตแห่งประเทศไทย (กฟผ.))

The organization where Mr. Ekarat Samintrapanya serves as Assistant Governor of Power Plant Planning.

Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)(สภาอุตสาหกรรมแห่งประเทศไทย (ส.อ.ท.))

The organization where Mr. Natee Sittiprasart serves as Chairman of the Renewable Energy Industry Group.

Global Power Synergy Public Company Limited (GPSC)(บริษัท โกลบอล เพาเวอร์ ซินเนอร์ยี่ จำกัด (มหาชน))

The company where Mr. Sirimet Leepagorn serves as President and Acting Chief Operating Officer.

Matichon(มติชน)ℹ️

The editorial board that organized the special seminar.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)(IAEA (ทบวงการปรมาณูระหว่างประเทศ))ℹ️

The organization that defines the size of Small Modular Reactors.

Place

Pullman King Power Hotel Bangkok (Rang Nam)(โรงแรมพูลแมน คิง เพาเวอร์ กรุงเทพ (รางน้ำ))

The venue where the seminar was held.