13 June, 2019
Training and Simulations Mark Flawless Preparation for Start of Fuel Removal from FBR Monju Reactor Core in October
At a June 10 meeting of the safety monitoring team of the Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan (NRA), representatives from the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) reported on the state of preparations for the removal of nuclear fuel assemblies from the reactor core of the prototype fast breeder reactor (FBR) “Monju,” where decommissioning is underway.
At the previous meeting of the team, held at the end of May, the JAEA had announced its postponement of the start of fuel removal from the core, from the initial plan of July to October. That decision was based on its desire to begin the removal only after a sufficient preparatory period was taken to ensure safety, in the light of various faults and phenomena observed until then in the course of work, training simulations, and so forth. It also reduced the number of assemblies to be removed in the first round from 110 to 100.
At the most recent meeting, the JAEA representatives explained that the agency would institute “hold points” in the process of fuel removal from Monju, allowing precise states and conditions to be verified before proceeding to the next step. Specifically, they are...more
- 5 June, 2019 TEPCO Considering New Plan to Remove Spent Fuel from Fukushima Daiichi-2
- 31 May, 2019 NRA Orders Kansai EP to Backfit Takahama and Other NPPs Based on New Volcano Impact Information
- 31 May, 2019 Local Governments Asks National Government to Help Get Overseas Import Regulation on Foods Withdrawn or Relaxed
- 24 May, 2019 Japanese Power Companies to Cooperate with Each Other to Complete Anti-terrorism Facilities More Quickly
- 21 May, 2019 【52nd JAIF Annual Conference】 Environmental Activist Michael Shellenberger, a Pro-nuclear Convert, Meets the Press
- 21 May, 2019 【52nd JAIF Annual Conference】 Leader Perspective: “The Role of Nuclear Energy in the EU Low-carbon Future”
- 20 May, 2019 【52nd JAIF Annual Conference】 Leader Perspective: “French Nuclear Policy and Industry Update”
- 20 May, 2019 【52nd JAIF Annual Conference】 Session 3: “Diversity and Possibilities for Nuclear Technology”
- 15 May, 2019 【52nd JAIF Annual Conference】 Session 2: “Prospects for Development of Innovative Technology”
- 15 May, 2019 【52nd JAIF Annual Conference】 Fukushima Daiichi Report
- 15 May, 2019 【52nd JAIF Annual Conference】 Session 1: “Role of Nuclear Power as a Low-Carbon Energy Source”
- 10 May, 2019 JT60-SA’s Core Central Solenoid Installed at QST’s Naka Fusion Institute
- 10 May, 2019 President of Decommissioning Company Says “Feel” from Unit 3 Will Aid Decommissioning of Other Units
13 June, 2019
Japan’s Cabinet Approves FY18 White Paper on Energy Policy, Seeking Low-carbon Society to Meet Paris Agreement Goals
On June 7, Japan’s Cabinet approved the White Paper on Energy Policy for FY18 (ended March 31, 2019), an annual overview of policies on energy supply and demand. Among other topics, it addressed such major issues as global warming countermeasures and energy problems in major countries in line with the Paris Agreement, as well as recent efforts in Japan to deal with natural disasters.
Those were in addition to mention of progress in the reconstruction of Fukushima, a subject that has been addressed annually since the 2011 accident. More specifically, the White Paper explained the current state of the decommissioning of the nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants, along with contaminated water measures.
Regarding the removal of spent nuclear fuel from the spent fuel pools at the NPPs, it outlined the course of events so far for the removal of fuel from Unit 3. Though a fuel–removal cover had been installed in February 2018, the fuel removal itself did not start in the middle of FY18 as originally scheduled, owing to problems in a fuel-handling facility, but rather began in April 2019 after safety inspections and other work had first been conduct...more
