Post by account_disabled on Feb 25, 2024 1:56:06 GMT -5
Useful life of nuclear reactors.
In a major shift in nuclear policy, Japan adopted a plan to extend the life of its nuclear reactors. With fuel shortages around the world and gas prices skyrocketing, as well as the need to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, the country also has plans to replace old reactors and build new ones.
It is a significant change for a country that had planned to phase out nuclear power after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster in
The rising cost of energy, along with fears of blackouts in Tokyo, are causing the public to reconsider restarting its reactors, the Financial Times reported. The -year roadmap for Japan's revised nuclear policy drawn up by a government advisory panel would accelerate the restart of the country's current nuclear reactors, as well as extend the life of its existing nuclear reactors by more than years. It would also develop advanced nuclear reactors.
“There is a risk of an energy crisis for the first time since the oil crisis in the face of an extremely tense situation,” the panel's roadmap said, referring to the global rise in energy prices as a result of the Russian invasion. from Ukraine, accord C Level Executive List ing to the Financial Times. “We once again recognize the fragility of our country's energy supplies, which represents a challenge to our energy security.”
After the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, when an earthquake followed by a tsunami disabled the plant's power supply and cooling system, two of Japan's nuclear reactors were restarted, in August and October , and another eight were restarted. since then, the World Nuclear Association reported.
Before Fukushima, about a third of Japan's energy needs were supplied by nuclear reactors, the Financial Times reported. Currently, nine of the reactors are operating, which has led the country to become more reliant on natural gas, coal and fuel oil. Japan has committed to net zero carbon emissions by
Since Fukushima, the Japanese government has set a goal for nuclear power to account for to percent of the country's energy supply by , The Associated Press reported. However, after the disaster, safety standards became stricter. Of the reactor restarts requested by utilities in the past years, only ten have returned to operation.
Under a new plan drafted by the Ministry of Economy and Industry and backed by Japan's Nuclear Regulatory Authority, extensions would be allowed every decade for reactors that have been in operation for years, with periods when a reactor was out of commission. line that can be subtracted from its operation.
The new rules for safety inspections have not yet been approved by Parliament.
International University of Japan economics professor and energy expert Takeo Kikkawa expressed doubts about the continued use of old reactors, saying the new policy would allow utility operators to continue using outdated equipment instead of investing in innovations. current or renewable energy.
“Naturally, we need to aim for newer technology and use it safely. Therefore, extending the life of the reactors is an undesirable move,” Kikkawa said, as reported by the Associated Press.
Most of Japan's nuclear reactors are more than three decades old, and four that have been in operation for more than four decades have been granted permission to continue operations. One of the -year-old reactors is currently operational.
Less than seven percent of Japan's energy is currently supplied by atomic energy. About reactors will be needed to reach the government's goal of to percent nuclear power by
“To achieve carbon neutrality by , now is the last chance to finally get stalled nuclear policy moving,” Kikkawa said, as reported by the Financial Times.
In a major shift in nuclear policy, Japan adopted a plan to extend the life of its nuclear reactors. With fuel shortages around the world and gas prices skyrocketing, as well as the need to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, the country also has plans to replace old reactors and build new ones.
It is a significant change for a country that had planned to phase out nuclear power after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster in
The rising cost of energy, along with fears of blackouts in Tokyo, are causing the public to reconsider restarting its reactors, the Financial Times reported. The -year roadmap for Japan's revised nuclear policy drawn up by a government advisory panel would accelerate the restart of the country's current nuclear reactors, as well as extend the life of its existing nuclear reactors by more than years. It would also develop advanced nuclear reactors.
“There is a risk of an energy crisis for the first time since the oil crisis in the face of an extremely tense situation,” the panel's roadmap said, referring to the global rise in energy prices as a result of the Russian invasion. from Ukraine, accord C Level Executive List ing to the Financial Times. “We once again recognize the fragility of our country's energy supplies, which represents a challenge to our energy security.”
After the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, when an earthquake followed by a tsunami disabled the plant's power supply and cooling system, two of Japan's nuclear reactors were restarted, in August and October , and another eight were restarted. since then, the World Nuclear Association reported.
Before Fukushima, about a third of Japan's energy needs were supplied by nuclear reactors, the Financial Times reported. Currently, nine of the reactors are operating, which has led the country to become more reliant on natural gas, coal and fuel oil. Japan has committed to net zero carbon emissions by
Since Fukushima, the Japanese government has set a goal for nuclear power to account for to percent of the country's energy supply by , The Associated Press reported. However, after the disaster, safety standards became stricter. Of the reactor restarts requested by utilities in the past years, only ten have returned to operation.
Under a new plan drafted by the Ministry of Economy and Industry and backed by Japan's Nuclear Regulatory Authority, extensions would be allowed every decade for reactors that have been in operation for years, with periods when a reactor was out of commission. line that can be subtracted from its operation.
The new rules for safety inspections have not yet been approved by Parliament.
International University of Japan economics professor and energy expert Takeo Kikkawa expressed doubts about the continued use of old reactors, saying the new policy would allow utility operators to continue using outdated equipment instead of investing in innovations. current or renewable energy.
“Naturally, we need to aim for newer technology and use it safely. Therefore, extending the life of the reactors is an undesirable move,” Kikkawa said, as reported by the Associated Press.
Most of Japan's nuclear reactors are more than three decades old, and four that have been in operation for more than four decades have been granted permission to continue operations. One of the -year-old reactors is currently operational.
Less than seven percent of Japan's energy is currently supplied by atomic energy. About reactors will be needed to reach the government's goal of to percent nuclear power by
“To achieve carbon neutrality by , now is the last chance to finally get stalled nuclear policy moving,” Kikkawa said, as reported by the Financial Times.