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NON-ELECTRIC APPLICATIONS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY:

THE CASE OF VIETNAM

Dinh Van Chien

Vietnam Atomic Energy Agency (VAEA)

16th INPRO DIALOGUE FORUM

OPPORTUNITIES AND ISSUES IN NON-ELECTRIC APPLICATIONS

OF NUCLEAR ENERGY

Vienna, December 13th, 2018

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CONTENT

I. INTRODUCTION

II. NUCLEAR COGENERATION

III. THE CASE OF VIETNAM

IV. CONCLUSION

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I. INTRODUCTION

- The trend in world primary energy demand is steadily

growing as the result of the increasing world population

and the expansion of the global economy.

- Nuclear energy offers a low carbon alternative and has

important potential advantages over other sources being

considered for future energy.

- The utilization of nuclear non-electric process heat has

potential in other processes, such as district heating and

cooling, process heat, desalination and hydrogen

production.

Nuclear Power Share in Energy MixSource Dr. WeiHuang, NEPIK, IAEA (2018)

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II. NUCLEAR COGENERATION

Nuclear energy use

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Nuclear Power - PRIS

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NPPs in Operation Regions of NPP under Construction

Distribution of Nuclear Power Plants

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Why cogeneration with nuclear power?

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Source: H. Paillere, OECD (2015)

Why cogeneration with nuclear power?

Source: I. Khamis, IAEA (2014)

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Experience on Cogeneration with Non-Electric Apps

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Temperature ranger of heat application processes

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Nuclear based cogeneration for fresh water production

Nuclear Desalination

Source: IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No.NP-

T-4.1 (2017)

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Nuclear based cogeneration for district heating

District heating

Source: IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No.NP-

T-4.1 (2017)

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Industrial process heat applications

Source: IAEA Nuclear Energy Series

No.NP-T-4.1 (2017)

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Ky Xuan

(Ha

Tinh)

Hoai My (Binh Dinh)

Xuan Phuong

(Phu Yen)

Binh Tien

(Ninh Thuan)Vinh Hai

(Ninh Thuan 2)

Phuoc Dinh

(Ninh Thuan 1)

Duc Chanh (Quang Ngai)

Duc Thang (Quang Ngai)

2009: Resolution No. 41/2009/NQ-QH12 by the National Assembly on

the Investment Policy in Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project with 2

plants (2 units x 1,000MWe/plant).

III. THE CASE OF VIETNAM

2011: Planning for National Electricity Development for the Period of

2011-2020 with Consideration up to 2030 (Master Planning VII,

approved by Prime Minister in 2011)

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- Legal Framework;

- Human resources development;

- Public information and communication.

Some activities for Ninh Thuan nuclear power project

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2016: Resolution No. 31/2016/QH14 dated

22/11/2016 by the National Assembly on

stopping the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power

Project, due to economic conditions (not

because of safety or technology issues).

2016: Planning for National Electricity

Development for the Period of 2011-2020

with Consideration up to 2030 (Master

Planning VII Adjustment, approved by

Prime Minister)

➢ Need to be considered fully aspects,

including cogeneration option for the

success of implementing the national

nuclear power program in the future.

III. THE CASE OF VIETNAM

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❖ Seawater desalination:

- Climate in Vietnam: wet season (flooding) and dry

season (drought)

- 1 of Top 5 countries/nations most vulnerable to

climate changes. Sea level rises 1m, 5% land loses,

11% population affected, 7% agricultural activities

impacted, 10% GDP reduced.

- Most vulnerable sectors: Agriculture, Water

Resources, Transport,…

- Climate changes in Vietnam: increase in strengths and

frequencies of extreme weather, sea level rise.

➢ Nuclear desalination can meet a large part of water

requirements for in-house and other applications, if

demonstrated to be feasible and economically

competitive.

Some prospects for nuclear cogeneration in Vietnam

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❖District heating and cooling:

- Forming coast economic zones and

complex buildings;

- Increasing needs of using in-house

hot water and air-conditioning.

- For example: Ho Tram cogeneration

power plant using fuel of natural gas

(7MW of power together with 2,000

refrigeration tonnes capacity for air-

conditioning and refrigeration

capacity).

Some prospects for nuclear cogeneration in Vietnam

The Grand Ho Tram Strip resort is

located in the province of Vung Tau

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❖Industrial process heat supply:

- Developing many industrial fields:

Petrochem, Pulp and Paper, Steel,…

- Many CHP power stations in

operation: Hai ha CHP power station,

Cogeneration (CHP) Plant for Phong

Khe Paper Village in Bac Ninh

province, Vedan Vietnam Cogeneration

power station, Cogeneration Plan of

Heat and Electricity in Bien Hoa

Industrial Zone,…

Some prospects for nuclear cogeneration in Vietnam

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IV. CONCLUSION

- Nuclear cogeneration could not only improve the overall efficiency of the plant but

also help enhance the economics and reduce environmental impacts of GHG.

- Significant development of non-electric applications of nuclear energy are not

expected in the short to mid-term, especially if/where fossil-based alternatives (gas)

remain cheap.

- R&D is needed to prepare long term deployment.

- Feasibility considerations: Design requirements, Plant infrastructure,

Environmental impact, Siting, Project evolution…

- Need to provide information to general public and policy makers about nuclear

cogeneration.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!