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Japan can cut its power costs by 30 percent if it restarts half the country’s 50 nuclear reactors

beebee
edited January 2013 in Off-Topic
"Japan’s 50 reactors supplied 30 percent of its electricity before Fukushima, according to data from the country’s trade body for utilities, the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan. The government will await new safety standards for nuclear plants before deciding whether to restart idled reactors, Shinzo Abe, Japan’s new prime minister, said Dec. 26."
japan-may-save-30-percent-on-power-by-restarting-reactors

Comments

  • Sven
    Let's hope the new safety standards are vigorous enough to withstand the 2011 Tohoku earthquake.
  • hank
    edited September 2013
    Related - Japan pledges $470 million for ice wall.
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23940214

    Heard a report this ice wall will require enormous amounts of energy to continue operating into perpetuity. Scary stuff.
  • Old_JoeOld_Joe
    edited September 2013
    Reply to @hank: Well, it's really just a special-purpose refrigeration system, although very large - in fact, untried - in scale. In addition to the energy consumption, how long do you think that the various electrical and mechanical components will last before major maintenance issues start poking their ugly little heads out? Lets see, now- salt air environment, 24/7 usage...

    That's a similar situation to SF's main public safety transmitting site, which needs constant air conditioning. That A/C is probably the least dependable element in the entire system, what with heavy-duty compressors, salt-air environment, and 24/7 usage. Even with entire spare A/C units to throw on-line (we're talking 3 refrigeration units each some 8' high x 10' wide x 4' deep, each having a similar sized condenser unit on the roof) it's a maintenance hassle.

    TEPCO, the owner of the crippled site, didn't do well with their reactor safety design and maintenance... now they'll have even more stuff to maintain. I smell desperation.
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