Japan could become second biggest solar power nation New Scientist, 02 August 2012 by Rob Gilhooly WITH nuclear power on the ropes in Japan, it could be solar power’s time to shine. Minamisoma City in Fukushima prefecture has signed an agreement with Toshiba to build the country’s biggest solar park. The deal comes weeks after Japan introduced feed-in tariffs to subsidise renewable energy – a move that could see the nation become one of the world’s largest markets for solar power.
Parts of Minamisoma are around 10 kilometres from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, and land there has been contaminated by radiation fallout. “Moving away from a dependency on nuclear is of course involved [with the agreement to build the solar park],” a city official said.
Both Minamisoma and neighbouring Namie have called for the cancellation of plans to build a nearby nuclear power plant – although Minamisoma has received $6.4 million over the past 25 years for initially agreeing to host the facility.
A number of Japanese municipalities have started solar projects in recent months. Plans have been drawn up for large-scale solar parks in Hokkaido and Kyushu, while SB Energy began operating two megasolar facilities, in Kyoto and Gunma, on 1 July.
“New solar projects are being generated day by day,” says Toshiba’s Yuji Shimada. Some estimates suggest the move could help Japan leapfrog Italy andbecome the second-biggest market for solar power after Germany… http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21528764.800-japan-could-become-second-biggest-solar-power-nation.html
Radioactivity in Tokyo
Dr. Chris Busby: Entomb the reactors or have ‘Mad Max’ scenario. http://optimalprediction.com/wp/dr-chris-busby-entomb-the-reactors-or-have-mad-max-scenario/ 3 Aug 12, Chris Busby is calling for sealing off the Fukushima reactors, since they are still releasing huge amounts of radionuclides. Cost is no object. I would say that the whole site needs to be entombed, since steam and smoke are coming out of fissures in the ground. Also a boronated concrete barrier needs to be built underground, to stop the leakage of corium into the groundwater and the sea.
Busby has also done tests on an air-conditioning filter in a Tokyo apartment (here andhere), and has found huge amounts of cesium and uranium in it. Where there is uranium, there is plutonium too. These radionuclides are incredibly toxic.
A new obstacle to Kudankulam nuclear plant
Kudankulam nuclear plant hits new hurdle, PM asks who will pay for mishap http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/pm-says-no-to-the-russians-in-the-kudankulam-project-250419 by Sunil Prabhu, Edited by Prasad Sanyal August 02, 2012 New Delhi: The Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu has run up against new hurdles. This time, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wants to know from the Department of Atomic Energy who will pay if there is a mishap at the power plant.
The PM, who is also the Minister for Atomic Energy, is questioning the department’s decision not to exercise the right to recourse – for units 3 and 4 of the project – in the event of a mishap at the plant. The plant is being built with Russian collaboration and the Russians have said they are keen that right to recourse should not apply to any part of this project. That would mean that the Russians will have no liability in case of an accident.
The PM has said that if such a waiver is granted to the Russian partners, other countries like the US and France, partnering India on such projects, will seek waiver too. Continue reading
TEPCO will float balloon inside Fukushima reactor No.1
Tepco planning to float balloon inside Reactor 1 in early August — Inspecting top floor with spent fuel pool http://enenews.com/tepco-planning-float-balloon-inside-reactor-1-early-august-inspecting-top-floor-spent-fuel-pool August 1st, 2012 By ENENews
(Subscription Only) Title: TEPCO floats balloon plan to inspect reactor’s top floor
Source: AJW by The Asahi Shimbun
Date: July 31, 2012
[Tepco] plans to inspect the top floor of the No. 1 reactor building using a balloon equipped with cameras, possibly in early August.
The plan.. is part of preparations for extracting nuclear fuel from a spent fuel storage pool on the top floor of the No. 1 reactor building….
Inspection from above is difficult, because the No. 1 reactor building has been encased in a protective shield since October.
TEPCO plans to inspect the top floor of the building by floating a balloon equipped with four cameras through an opening in the ceiling that extends from the ground floor to the fifth floor….
Fukushima workers made to cover radiation dosimeters with lead plates
Criminal? Fukushima Daiichi workers told to rip open radiation protection suits and insert lead plates — “Make sure nobody sees what you are doing” — Threatened with being fired ENE News July 21st, 2012 Follow up to: Fukushima Daiichi workers ordered to cover dosimeters with lead plates (PHOTO)
(Subscription Only) Title: TEPCO subcontractor used lead to fake dosimeter readings at Fukushima plant Source: AJW by The Asahi Shimbun Authors: Jun Sato, Chiaki Fujimori, Miki Aoki, Tamiyuki Kihara and Takayuki Kihara Date: July 21, 2012
Workers at the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant were ordered to cover their dosimeters with lead plates to keep radiation doses low enough to continue working under dangerous conditions, the Asahi Shimbun has learned….. Continue reading
Further cheating by TEPCO on Fukushima radiation monitoring
Tokyo Paper: Thick iron shielding placed below radiation monitoring post — Dose was double 5 meters away http://enenews.com/tokyo-paper-thick-iron-shielding-below-radiation-monitoring-post-journalist-dose-doubled-5-meters-away August 1st, 2012 By ENENews
Follow-up to: Japan TV: Monitoring posts show far lower radiation dose — Levels shoot up just steps away
Tokyo Shinbun article from March 2012 with summary translation on July 31, 2012 by Safecast member ‘the_STIG’ who lives in Japan:
Journalist Shoji Ozawa reported that surface soil had been replaced and that a thick iron shielding had been placed below a monitoring post in Iitate that measured 1.2uSv. He measured 2.4uSv when he walked 5m away from the post. The Ministry of Education currently publishes less than 1uSv for Iitate. Professor Imanaka of Kyoto University said that the current monitoring posts are not usable at all.
Concern growing about poor safety of South Korea’s nuclear reactors
Nuclear reactor shut down for safety reasons, Aug.1,2012 Incident at Younggwang plant the latest in a long string of nuclear troubles, The Hanyoreh, By Noh Hyung-woong, staff reporter Reactor 6 at Younggwang Nuclear Power Plant in South Jeolla province was shut down again on July 30 due to a malfunctioning reactor rod….
The repeated problems with Younggwang reactor 6 have residents in the area nervous. Reactor 6 first broke down during a 2002 trial run. Since then, it has gone out of action 9 times in past 10 years.
Among those cases, some were trivial, due to lightning strikes and a mistake on operation. But in Dec. 2008, the reactor was stopped because warning signals appeared, indicating the reactor rod was in the wrong position.
Yang-yi Won-young director of Common Action for Nuke Free Society said, “The reactor rod is the last line of defense against a serious accident. It was fortunate that the reactor was shut down in time. If it hadn‘t been, it would have created a terrible disaster.”
Some brought up the problem of Korean-style pressurized light water reactors, citing their frequent breakdowns. “The reactors that recently broke down, including reactor 6 at the Younggwang plant, are localized as Korean style,” said Professor Suh Kune-yull at the
Nuclear Engineering Dept. of Seoul National University. “It seems that their electronic circuits and other components fail frequently.”…..
more and more people raised the questions of the safety of nuclear power plants. In particular, the Younggwang accident happened while MKE has been moving to restart Kori Nuclear reactor No.1…… http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_business/545178.html
Fukushima radiation levels – Tepco cheats on monitoring
Japan TV: Monitoring posts show far lower radiation dose — Levels shoot up just steps away http://enenews.com/japan-tv-monitoring-posts-show-far-lower-radioactivity-levels-shoot-up-just-steps-away-tokyo-professor August 1st, 2012 By ENENews Fukushima
Title: TEPCO cheating on radiation levels by using “improved” monitoring postsSource: Safecast Author: the_STIG (Permanent foreign resident of Japan for over 30 years)Date: July 31, 2012 Link (Japanese Only): http://blog.fujitv.co.jp/tokudane/E20120716005.html
On July 17, 2012, the Japanese TV morning news show “Tokudane” reported that 31 out of 38 monitoring posts in 6 cities in Fukushima showed far lower radiation levels than the general actual levels for the areas where the monitoring posts are in. They measured the radiation levels with Professor Kato of Tokyo Metropolitan University. When they use a survey meter and walk a few steps away from the monitoring posts, the radiation levels shoot sharply up. One post measured 0.24uSv while a measurement showed 0.41uSv only one meter away. A monitoring post in South Iitate indicated 4.51uSv, but a survey meter read 9.5uSv. Professor Kato says that such monitoring posts have been set up on decontaminated spots. Citizens have been skeptical of their measurements for a long time.
TEPCO made a document for public release on April 20, 2012 explaining that they have “improved” the area surrounding monitoring posts by cutting trees within 20 to 30m, replacing soil and placing shielding walls, so that readings remain below 10uSv/h. It details the case of 8 monitoring posts, and they cite an example where the radiation dose went down from 83.6uSv to 9.7uSv.
Oi reactors will be idled if fault under them is active, new nuclear safety chief warns, Japan Times, 1 Aug 12, Kyodo The man nominated to head the new atomic regulatory authority said Wednesday he expects the two reactors at the Oi nuclear plant in Fukui Prefecture to halt operations should there be any active fault found underneath them. Continue reading
AP: Link between nuclear weapons and nuclear power is “becoming increasingly clear” says Japan professor — Nuclear power industry not thrilled people are talking about it July 31st, 2012 By ENENews Title: Japan pro-bomb voices grow louder amid nuke debateSource: Associated Press Date: July 31, 2012 “.. as Japan weighs whether to phase out nuclear power, some conservatives, including some influential politicians and thinkers, are becoming more vocal about their belief that Japan should have at least the ability to make nuclear weapons.
The two issues are intertwined because nuclear plants can develop the technology and produce the fuel needed for weaponry, as highlighted by concerns that nuclear power programs in Iran and North Korea are masking bomb development.
Shigeru Ishiba, former Defense Minister and current lawmaker told The Associated Press
- “Having nuclear plants shows to other nations that Japan can make nuclear weapons”
Hitoshi Yoshioka, professor of social and cultural studies at Kyushu University
- “The recognition that both nuclear issues must be addressed is heightening in Japan”
- The link between the two is “becoming increasingly clear”
Tatsujiro Suzuki, vice chairman at the Japan Atomic Energy Commission, a government panel that shapes nuclear policy
- “If people keep saying (nuclear energy) is for having nuclear weapons capability, that is not good”
- “Technically it may be true, but it sends a very bad message to the international community” http://enenews.com/ap-link-between-nuclear-weapons-and-nuclear-power-is-becoming-increasingly-clear-says-japan-professor-nuclear-power-industry-not-thrilled-people-are-talking-about-it
Fukushima Film: It’s murder not allowing children to escape http://enenews.com/local-official-fukushima-allowing-children-escape-murder-will-be-late-when-second-chernobyl-video — It will be too late when we are the 2nd Chernobyl -Local Japanese Official (VIDEO) July 31st, 2012 By ENENews
Two workers fall ill while at Reactor 3, transported to hospital in ambulance — Both had altered consciousness »
Fukushima Film: It’s murder not allowing children to escape — It will be too late when we are the 2nd Chernobyl -Local Japanese Official (VIDEO)
Transcript Excerpt Surviving Japan (2012) Filmmaker: Chris Noland
Minamisoma city council member Koichi Oyama: I would like to explain something historical to better your understanding. Japan used to be ruled by a king, the emperor…..
Parents and teacher tell children the best thing you can do was die for your country.
Kamikaze pilots in the war embodied this spirit.
In World War II they always told us we were winning every battle.
No one knew about Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The same thing is happening now. The current government not telling people what is happening is the same we have had since World War II.
Keep your country alive by killing yourself.
I think the way to save the children at Fukushima is to get the world involved. If we don’t protect our children now, it will be too late when we are the second Chernobyl.
Not allowing the children to escape is murder.
Japanese government effectively nationalises TEPCO nuclear power company
Japan Nuclear Disaster Probe: TEPCO Gets $12.8 Billion Crisis Bailout (includes VIDEO) HUFFINGTON POST, By MARI YAMAGUCHI 07/31/12 ONAGAWA,
Japan — The Japanese operator of the nuclear power plant devastated in last year’s disasters received a 1 trillion yen ($12.8 billion) bailout Tuesday, putting it under government ownership, while international experts visited another plant that survived the
tsunami’s impact….
The company faces massive compensation demands from those forced to evacuate and whose land and products were contaminated by radiation leaks following the crisis that began March
11 last year when Japan’s northeast was hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami.
TEPCO must also shoulder the enormous costs of decommissioning three reactors with melted cores and placing nuclear fuel rods from a fourth reactor into safe storage……
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/31/japan-nuclear-disaster_n_1722716.html
70% of Japanese oppose nuclear power
Nuclear Power Opposed By 70% At Japan Hearings, Asahi Reports http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-29/nuclear-power-opposed-by-70-at-japan-hearings-asahi-reports.html By Andy Sharp – Jul 29, 2012 Around 70 percent of participants in public hearings to gauge opinion on Japan’s energy policyhave said the nation should end nuclear-power generation by 2030, the Asahi newspaper reported.
The government held meetings in Hiroshima and Naha yesterday, the seventh and eight hearings in which members of the public debate what proportion of the nation’s energy should be nuclear-generated.
Eleven percent of the 1,253 people to take part in the meetings so far said atomic power should make up 15 percent of the nation’s energy mix, with 17 percent of people favoring 20-25 percent, according to the Asahi.
The government will take results of the hearings into account in finalizing its energy policy. Final hearings will take place in Fukushima on Aug. 1, and Takamatsu and Fukuoka on Aug. 4, the report said.
At last, Japan gets a political party of opposition to nuclear power – The Greens
Anti-nuclear campaigners launch Japan’s first green party http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jul/30/japan-green-party-nuclear-power?newsfeed=true Greens Japan promises voters to put environment first and abolish nuclear power plants
Justin McCurry in Tokyo guardian.co.uk, 30 July 2012 Anti-nuclear campaigners in Japan have launched the country’s first green party, more than a year after the triple meltdown at FukushimaDaiichi power plant created a groundswell of opposition to atomic energy.
Greens Japan, created by local politicians and activists, hopes to satisfy the legal requirements to become an officially recognised political party in time for the general election, which must be held by next summer but could come much earlier.
The party said it would offer voters a viable alternative to the two main parties, both of which have retained their support for nuclear power, particularly after the recent decision to restart two nuclear reactors in western Japan. Continue reading
Bangladesh goes solar
Bangladesh sees surge in use of solar energy , 31 Jul 2012 Alertnet By Syful Islam DHAKA, Bangladesh As costs fall and incomes rise, power-hungry Bangladesh is seeing a surge in the adaptation home solar energy systems.
Last year, close to 40,000 units a month were installed on average across the country; this year installations have surged to 55,000 a month, according to Ruhul Quddus, head of the Rural Services Foundation, a Bangladeshi charity. His charity is installing 11,000 solar power systems a month, up from 8,000 a month last year, he said.
Altogether, 30 percent more homes are using solar power in Bangladesh than a year ago – a change driven by a rise in purchasing capacity and falling prices.
“Rural people now want to improve their quality of life,” including by trading kerosene lamps for solar and using the latest electrical appliances, said Abser Kamal, chief executive office of Grameen Shakti, a pioneering organisation in renewable energy in Bangladesh.
Per capita income has been rising in Bangladesh in recent years as the country’s growth rate has improved. During the last fiscal year, per capita hit income hit $848 a year, up from $676 three years ago, according to government figures. The country’s growth rate during the last fiscal year was 6.32 percent, and this year the government is targeting growth of 7.2 percent.
Installing solar power in their homes helps families with a variety of tasks, Kamal said.
A RANGE OF BENEFITS….. http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/bangladesh-sees-surge-in-use-of-solar-energy
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