Abstract

The interest in the technological development of small modular reactors (SMRs) for immediate and near-term deployment is growing globally, especially in East Asia. IAEA predicts that there could be about 1.6 GWe contributing to global nuclear capacity from SMRs by 2030. Countries employing (or interested in) SMRs, including those newcomers whocommit to nuclear power for the first time, would need to comply with a myriad of rules, regulations, and requirements that come as part of the responsibility of utilizing the SMRs. Chief amongst these are the requirements on nuclear safety, security, and safeguards (3Ss). The 3Ss are important considerations and a common ground for international transparency and confidence in deploying SMRs to ensure that they are safe, secure, and for purely peaceful purposes. In his talk, Dr. Jorshan Choi will screen and select 4 different SMRs, currently in deployment or under construction, and assess their potentials for utilization in East Asia from a 3S perspective. He will focus the assessment on technological and institutional aspects, with references to current world events, with an aim of stimulating audience participation and discussion.

About the Speaker

Dr. Jorshan Choi has over 40 years of combined industrial, research and development, (R&D), and academic experience in the nuclear field. He began his career in the ‘70s at Bechtel Corporation, designing containment and safety systems for nuclear power plants. He worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for 21 years in R&D on fuel for small nuclear reactors and materials for radioactive waste disposal, among other activities. He worked at IAEA for 3 years in fuel cycle and materials for INPRO and GEN-IV reactors. He taught at Tokyo University for 3 years in nuclear sociology and 3S and mentored the nuclear safety and security program at Tokyo Institute of Technology. Dr. Choi obtained his degrees from UC Berkeley: BS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MS and PhD in Nuclear Engineering. He is a Science Fellow at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford, and a Professional Engineer in California. He has published over 200 technical or peer-reviewed articles and holds 4 patents in nuclear fuel and materials.