The System Dynamics of Nuclear Energy in Singapore

Abstract

In this article, a system dynamics model is developed to study the complex issues involving nuclear energy in Singapore by assessing four essential aspects, namely (1) Economic, (2) Environment, (3) Social, and (4) Political in various scenarios. The first factor juxtaposes the monetary benefit from deploying nuclear energy with the current situation. The second deals with carbon dioxide emission, nuclear waste, and thermal pollution from nuclear power plant. The third part discusses the safety and social acceptance toward nuclear project, and the last section analyzes the political stability in provision of nuclear energy advent. The proposed system dynamic model incorporates all four components that allow us to run sensitivity analysis based on various scenarios and enables us to gain insight in how each domain evolves with time. Based on the model, we present advantages and disadvantages of possessing nuclear power plants in Singapore and suggest remedies to rectify the drawbacks.

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“…System dynamics offers a holistic approach, taking into account the uncertainties, time delays, and feedbacks of a system, facilitating better systems understanding for developing energy policy development [21]. Research in different areas of energy systems were suggested, such as energy behavior [22], social acceptance [23], economic costs [24], network and infrastructure issues, innovation, security and reliability, markets, and governance issues [25]. In Finland, energy security alternative sources were studied in order to see how renewables, fossil fuels, and nuclear can contribute in reducing dependency on external energy sources [26].…”

A System Dynamics Analysis of Investment, Technology and Policy that Affect Natural Gas Exploration and Exploitation in China

“…Bodger showed that the SD model was also applicable to a small country where specific energy resources are available [20]. Chia et al developed a system dynamics model to study the complex issues involving nuclear energy development in Singapore by evaluating four critical aspects, namely environmental, economic, political and social factors in various scenarios [21]. The SD modeling approach can be used to systematically model the oil and gas industry, and to conduct a scenario analysis and uncertainty analysis according to possible changes [22][23][24].…”

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