Chubu Electric Power Company has announced its plans to increase tsunami and flooding protection for the Hamaoka nuclear power plant, which was closed by an extraordinary order from the Japanese prime minister.
The company has been required to take special action in addition to nationwide measures like the orders from the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA), and the upcoming stress tests for nuclear power plants.
NISA's instructions came in March, within days of the Fukushima accident, while the procedure for stress tests is to be announced shortly. However, in May prime minister Naoto Kan personally decided that the plant would have to shut until it had bolstered sea defences. He said this was out of respect for public opinion in the context of Hamaoka's position on the southern Tokai coast in one of the regions of highest seismic activity, where a large undersea earthquake could be expected within the next 30 years.
The company today detailed the steps it would take, allowing until December 2012 to complete the work for units 3, 4 and 5 at the site. Units 1 and 2 are already permanently shut down.
Behind a 60 metre row of sand dunes measuring between ten and 15 metres high above sea level, the company is to erect a new breakwater wall to reach 18 metres above sea level. This compares to the 15 metre wave that flooded the Fukushima Daiichi site.
Analysis of a potential triple-earthquake event under the sea in the Tokai region indicated an eight metre tsunami should be expected. For a magnitude 9.0 event, the same in size as the earthquake of 11 March, a ten metre tsunami could occur. The data and methods supporting these results have been submitted to NISA and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
On the main plant site, measures will be taken to mitigate general serious flooding as well as for the possibility that a tsunami could overwhelm the breakwater. They include the waterproofing of diesel generator rooms and seawater pumps, as well as the installation of pumps in the building basements. Grid connections are to be doubled up, with another set of diesel generators complete with long term fuel supply installed on ground behind the main plant buildings about 25 metres above sea level. Spare parts for seawater pumps will be kept in a hardened building and heavy earthmoving capability will be maintained.
In addition to physical measures, Chubu is working to develop effective ways to cooperate with local authorities and agencies in the case of a wider disaster.
Researched and written
by World Nuclear News
Researched and written
by World Nuclear News
Our view : The Japanese were just recently effected by the tsunami. And they did not stop going for nuclear. They are aware that the cause of mother nature has caused the trouble and taking big plans ahead for higher protection. They did not stop going for it. For example, you never were guaranteed the flight you are taking today is going to land safely, or the car you drive is going to puncture today. But still we take the risk of doing it, hoping and praying for the best. Then why not we take the risk on this nuclear power generation. After all we are going to use the structure or style that have been used for more then 40 years and doesn't cause any harm or problem to us. And we are also protected by other surrounding countries from hitting by tsunami. Therefore in risk taken is where things work. I am not telling that we cannot guarantee you that nothing will happen. But we are engineers that makes sure it the Nuclear Power Plant will be highly maintained technically by insider and inspected by outsider every week. Like the Japanese, it is like the saying "Blessings in Disguise" for them.
MK
Can you explain more on fossil fuel price increase and the effect on power generation..
ReplyDeleteWhy are japan taking such a weird action? they jus got hit by the tsunami ahy are they stil going for it (NUCLEAR).??? are they out of their mind?
ReplyDeleteis that mean by having such a plan, nuclear power plant can be safe from natural disaster such as tsunami and so on? also im sure there is a limit as well for the protection.... so can u explain more on that issue............
ReplyDeletetHanesh: Well bro, Japan is a country which has no natural mineral for the enrichment of the country. Therefore some how they have to look for an option to keep moving. They are importing fuel,so that is way to expensive for them to use fuel to generate electricity. Therefore they are going for nuclear. More over NPP doesn't cause any harm to them, there where no fault. Only natural disasters made is havoc. And there were no dead's due to Fukushima. The people's radiation level are control using iodine tablet. Therefore, Japan most probably is trying to gain the best knowledge in NPP so that they can survive in their upcoming years.
ReplyDeleterenewer: The worst tsunami that has happen is by 15metre high. Therefore the precaution has been taken on 60metre high tsunami. There is a limit for protection but as engineers they have to identify the possible ways danger can be avoided. For example Japan is in the Ring-of-Fire therefore it can have earthquake. To sustain that they have built suspension sustaining building. This means the building will swing to certain degree and stop but will not collapse. The same have been taken to the Hamaoka NPP. More precaution on the possible natural disaster that may occur.
ReplyDeleteAnother Shameful Citizen: they are explained in our previous blog on the 19/07
ReplyDeleteJapanese has the intelligence that they keep moving even they are hit down to earth. How long will they take time to recover from Fukushima?
ReplyDeletesirmkinc: sir, the tragedy in Fukushima is being controlled but I cannot say how long will it take. Might be sometime. But just for your info that there have not been any deaths cause by Fukushima. The deaths are by Earthquake. And most Japan building sustained because it is Engineered in such a way that it will swing but not collapse.
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