Sponsored by Murdock Capital Partners
The Largest Nuclear Disaster Since Chernobyl
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster consisted of a series of equipment failures, nuclear meltdowns, and releases of radioactive materials at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant, following the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011. It is the largest nuclear disaster since the Chernobyl disaster of 1986.
Japan’s Nuclear Power Plants (credit: Wikipedia)
Observing The Difference Before & Now
Nuclear energy expert, Thomas S. Drolet, President of Drolet and Associates Energy Services, Inc. recently visited Fukushima and was also at the site shortly after the disaster occurred to assist with the recovery process. Mr. Drolet has also been to Chernobyl and is a highly sought after speaker on the subject of nuclear energy.
Thomas Drolet
Was It A Cultural Issue?
There is a lot to be learned from this event, especially as it pertains to Japan’s history, culture and ability to create its own source of stable energy. In this segment of The Clean Energy View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer talks to Thomas Drolet about the criteria leading up to Japan’s decision to move forward with nuclear, the dramatic impact on the business environment as well as the social impact on its people.
The Big Effect On Japan’s Culture!
According to Mr. Drolet, things have definitely changed for the Japanese people. Radiation detectors are commonly used everywhere from supermarkets to private residences. Mr. Drolet discusses a personal experience at a dinner event in which the hostess utilized a radiation wand on guests to detect radiation. People are taking matters into their own hands to determine exposure by utilizing a myriad of gadgets.
Japanese smartphone detects radiation (Credit: MARI SAITO, REUTERS
FIRST POSTED: TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012 05:23 AM EDT)
About Thomas Drolet:
Mr. Drolet has worked in the energy industry and technology innovation industries for over 42 years. He brought a wealth of experience at the senior management level to the electrical utility industry at Ontario Hydro, the fourth largest electrical utility in the world (Nuclear, Coal, Natural Gas, Hydroelectric), American Electric Power (Canada) and DTE Energy. He has worked on BOD and in the oil and natural gas industries in North America and on Renewable Energies in North and South America, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines. He has also worked with several new technology industries in the areas of energy (fusion energy, distributed generation, fuel cells, and innovative geothermal processes), as well as in the area of medical pharmaceutical breakthrough applications in cancer treatments. In the last 25 years Mr. Drolet has worked internationally in 44 countries, predominantly in North America, South America, Australia, China, Russia, South Korea, Japan, Africa and Europe. He has spoken at over 175 major conferences on issues in energy and the effects of new technologies on the economies of the western world.
Listen To The Interview
The largest lesson I see from this is that older nuclear plants with antiquated equipment must be replaced with the latest safest nuclear plants. New builds are crucial to maintaining energy independence. The close all nuclear plants knee jerk reaction is not a well thought energy policy that has increased japans reliance on natural gas and coal . The amount spent on importing their energy is phenomenal and will eventually weaken their economy. Start the nuclear plants,increase the safety oversight and the negative public opinion will wane.
Interesting to see how some Japanese have chosen to reduce the likelihood of harmful radiation exposure; one can only hope that the long-term health and environmental toll does not prove too injurious.
This also reminds me of an indie documentary I recently viewed about the aftermath of Chernobyl and how over 25 years later many areas around the former plant have up to 6,000 times the average amount of radiation (0.1 – 0.13 mSv).
Thanks for the information. This was certainly a terrible tragedy, and one that has re-opened questions about nuclear energy. It seems, however, that old technology, poor management, and poor planning were significant factors to this disaster. There were significant reasons for Japan’s choice of nuclear energy, as there are for many other countries. We can always hope, and should certainly keep aiming for, alternative forms of energy – but so far these seem to fall short of meeting the demand required by most nations. Engaging in ensuring safety of nuclear power generation may be the only viable solution to meet our power needs without polluting the planet through fossil fuel power generation and the (at least at this stage) inadequacy of so-called renewable power generation.
Japanese people must’ve been traumatized by these disastrous events. I just feel sorry for them and at the same time amazed by their spirit to move on forward.
It was a day that nobody will ever forget! The use of nuclear scares me and always has. I would hope that the brilliant minds out there can find a new and safer way instead of tapping into nuclear.
It’s a ticking time bomb
More disclosure needed for nuclear plant. The owner kept many secret before and after the disaster. Since, such a disaster would impact neighboring nations, key indicator should be shared.
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back sometime soon. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great job, have a nice afternoon!
Very thorough and interesting article. You might be interested in my artistic take on the whole subject of clean energy …here… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNe5nc8_Z7Q
Without a doubt, this was a tragedy. Even so, we need energy to continue advancing. Picture life without any energy, and we are on foot, scavenging food and shelter.
Thanks for doing this work.
This event really shook people up. I hope they are rethinking the use of nuclear!
In France, we have nuclear and it is perfectly safe. I think it is a matter of investing in good technology and not cheap tech!
That’s what the Japanese said before Fukushima. Are french nuclear plants and facilities prepared for Tsunamis?