Atomic Show #169 – Fukushima Update – Will Davis
Will Davis blogs at Atomic Power Review. Since four of the six Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants were destroyed by the effects of a tsunami and subsequent loss of power to supply cooling water, Will has been providing well researched updates to his readers. I highly recommend visiting his site if you want to know what is really going on and how TEPCO is progressing in the difficult job of stabilizing the site.
I hope you enjoy the show.
PS – I have to apologize to the people who have taken the time to visit and comment recently. I have not been diligent about moderating and approving the comments. I will try to do better in the future.
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Rod,
Thanks for the update, I too haven’t been able to follow events in Japan as closely as I would like. I look forward to reading the preliminary IAEA report. Could you explain why TEPCO, or any other operator, would have an interest in not reporting precise dosimetry data?
Does anyone have any update information on the two injured TEPCO workers who suffered beta burns to their feet as contaminated water overtopped their boots? At the time of the incident there were varying media reports as to the severity of their injury and I was wondering if they had been discharged from hospital yet.
It is inconceivable to me that Japan could actually phase out its reactors. Even before the T?hoku or “Great East Japan Earthquake” Japan’s electric sector was severely stressed and the loss of the two Fukushima NPPs will cut a significant percentage off the nation’s GDP. Germany and Switzerland, in the unlikely event they actually shutter their LWRs, could simply import more electricity from France and natural gas from Russia but Japan has no good option; an island grid they lack coal and gas and are completely unsuitable for wind and solar. Perhaps they’ll just await Gen IV and this crisis may stimulate developments in that direction.