Part 2 - Read part 1 here
Today is the one-year anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated several regions of Japan and left the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in distress. In this second part of our two-part series on Fukushima, the NIC highlights many of the actions Duke Energy's nuclear fleet has taken in response to the events in Japan.
As mentioned in our March 6 post, the nuclear industry has made enhancements to U.S. nuclear plants to ensure they could withstand similar extreme natural events. In keeping with the rest of the industry, Duke Energy continues to monitor the situation closely and learn from it.
Within days of the Fukushima Daiichi incident, we performed walk downs and thorough inspections to reverify each of our nuclear plants was in a high state of readiness to respond to emergency events. We assembled a Fukushima response team to evaluate and respond to information from the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and to apply lessons learned from Japan. This team includes technical experts, engineers, seismic specialists and environmental and emergency planning personnel.
During the review process, the team identified enhancements to further augment safety. Items identified were either immediately implemented or are being implemented. Some of the actions taken at Duke Energy-operated nuclear plants include:
- Reverified our ability to respond to threats, natural events, fires and aircraft impact and that we have the appropriate equipment, procedures and staffing.
- Reverified our capability to cope even during a complete loss of AC power.
- Reverified each plant’s capabilities to protect against floods and fires after earthquakes.
- Enhanced our capability to protect fuel stored in used fuel pools against extreme natural events.
- Reverified accessibility to equipment and materials (no obstructions, relocated some equipment) and purchased additional portable equipment to better respond to events that may affect more than one unit at a site.
- Reverified the training qualifications of operations and support staff required to use emergency equipment.
- Confirmed agreements and contracts with external parties to provide fire fighting and emergency response support (such as Memorandums of Understanding with local fire departments).
- Revised our preventive maintenance program to include testing equipment on a more frequent basis.
As we continue to learn from Japan and incorporate those lessons learned, Duke Energy and the U.S. nuclear industry will be focused on implementing the requirements of the new diverse and flexible coping capability (FLEX) program to maintain key safety functions and cope with extreme events using a combination of installed plant equipment, supplemental portable equipment stored on-site and additional capabilities maintained in off-site locations. This also includes:
- Upgrading procedures, providing training and conducting periodic drills for emergencies, severe accidents and extensive damage mitigation.
- Upgrading our capabilities and organizational capacity to address prolonged, multiple-unit and simultaneous events.
- Ordering additional portable equipment such as various types of pumps, high-pressure hoses and communications and satellite equipment.
Duke Energy responded to the events in Japan by renewing our steadfast commitment to maintain the highest levels of safety at each of the three nuclear power plants we operate.
One year later, we pause to reflect on the lives lost and forever changed by the earthquake and tsunami, as well as the indomitable spirit shown by the Japanese people as they put their country back together following the most powerful known earthquake to ever hit Japan.
Further reading:
- Summary of Events in Japan on March 11, 2011 – NRC
- FLEX: The Industry Strategy to Enhance Safety
- Applying Lessons Learned from Fukushima – NEI
- U.S. Nuclear Energy on the Upswing – News and Observer
- Nuclear Power Plants Built with Earthquakes in Mind – NIC