Nuclear Power Disasters Fukushima Daiichi - 920 Words

Nuclear Power Disasters: Fukushima Daiichi Fukushima Daiichi joins the ranks of nuclear disasters that include Chernobyl (1989) and Three Mile Island (1979). Fukushima Daiini, sat alongside Daiichi, and was not damaged during the earthquake or tsunami. It is still operable. Worldwide, there are 439 (GW 377) and 69 (GW 66) nuclear power plants—although not all are in operation, at this time. Nuclear power plants are either nuclear fusion, nuclear fission, or power that is derived from nuclear decay. Many of these plants have been in operation since the late 60s and early 70s and have not created any disasters or near disasters. Nuclear power, for what it’s worth, is considered clean, renewable, and safe energy. Japanese Earthquake and†¦show more content†¦To ensure backup power, nuclear power plants have generators to keep water circulating and cooling the fuel rods. There were 13 generators on-site and only one of those was undamaged by the tsunami. The generators for Fukushima Daiichi were installed on the ocean side of the plant, as well. What happened, and what created the disaster was the failure of the generators to come into play. The first of the Daiichi power units exploded within 17 to 24 hours of the initial event. Without the ability to pump water over the fuel rods, the rods continue to heat until they reach unsustainability and the plant exploded. Three employees were killed as a result of the earthquake and tsunami and hundreds more have worked diligently to remove and cleanup the affected buildings. Thus far, none of those employees have died. Studies performed in the 1960s showed that the sea level, at which the Fukushima plants were designed and built, was acceptable for tsunami conditions. At the time the studies were done, a tsunami and earthquake of such a magnitude as that which hit northeastern Japan was unknown and newer studies—done since 2011—have altered the original findings. In truth, the 13 generators located ocean-side should not have been installed in that location, as the surviving plant Daiini’s generators were located on the opposite side—on land—and that plant survived with only minimal structural