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The Post-Fukushima World: Lessons Learned, Energy Resources and Security
MRIC 2012/13

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"The Post-Fukushima World: Lessons Learned, Energy Resources and Security"

Akira Tokuhiro
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Director of Nuclear Engineering Graduate Program
Tuesday, Oct. 9
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Whitewater Room, Idaho Commons

Abstract: The Japanese Fukushima Dai-ichi and Dai-ni nuclear power station with four  General Electric Boiling Water Reactors respectively co-located side-by-side on the north-central eastern coast of Japan withstood a 9.0 earthquake and a large-scale tsunami on March 11, 2011.  All six units were constructed via a GE/Hitachi/Toshiba collaboration from 1967 to 1979. In spite of the immediate shut down of all units due to the earthquake, and decay heat cooling for 30-45 minutes, loss-of-offsite-power by the impact of the tsunami initiated an “beyond design basis (nuclear power plant) accident.” Several hydrogen explosions later, several core “meltdowns” and 1½  years since 3/11, the utility (TEPCO) and the Japanese Government are still dealing with a dramatic shift in the national energy portfolio and ‘recovery, restoration and remediation’ that may last up to 40 years. The colloquium will provide a quick perspective on the Fukushima natural disaster, the nuclear power plant accident and the potential global implications in coming years.
Original url: http://www.uidaho.edu/class/mric/archives/2012-2013/the-post-fukushima-world