On May 15, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) kicked off its second round of trial fuel debris extraction from Reactor Unit 2 at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. This operation is set to take about 12 days, marking another milestone in the plant’s decommissioning journey.
After a successful first trial extraction in November 2024—where melted fuel was moved beyond the reactor’s containment vessel for the first time since the 2011 disaster—the removed debris will be transported to a research facility operated by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency in Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture.
The 2011 events, triggered by a magnitude‑9.0 earthquake and a devastating tsunami, resulted in roughly 880 metric tons of melted fuel and associated materials solidifying inside the reactors. Removing this debris remains one of the most formidable engineering challenges in nuclear cleanup.
For tech enthusiasts and early professionals, this development is as exciting as a breakthrough in digital innovation. Just as vibrant cities like Jakarta and Bangalore embrace cutting-edge tech, TEPCO’s effort shows how innovation can tackle even the toughest challenges. Stay tuned for more updates on this historic operation! 🚀
Reference(s):
TEPCO Launches Second Round of Fukushima Daiichi Unit 2 Fuel Debris Removal
chinanews.com.cn
