Power
Delays in Water Removal Stall Cooling System Restoration at Fukushima Daiichi
At approximately 7:30 a.m. JST Tuesday, March 29, the removal of standing water from Unit 1 at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station was suspended when the unit's condenser reached full capacity.
Researched by Industrial Info Resources East Asia (Kofu-shi, Japan)--At approximately 7:30 a.m. JST on Tuesday, March 29, the removal of standing water from Unit 1 at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station was suspended when the unit's condenser reached full capacity. About half of the water from the unit had been removed. Tokyo Electric Power Company Incorporated (TYO:9501) (TEPCO) (Tokyo) is now looking into disposal options.
At about the same time, authorities switched Unit 1's coolant from salt water to fresh water to help prevent corrosion. TEPCO plans to switch all reactor coolant to fresh water as soon as possible, and then do the same for spent fuel pool replenishment efforts. Unit 1's reactor temperature was lower than it was on Monday, following increased cooling efforts on Tuesday. To control increasing pressure, TEPCO decreased the flow of fresh water into Unit 1's reactor on Wednesday, March 30.
TEPCO currently estimates that water removal from units 2 and 3, the condensers and condensate storage tanks of which are full, will take approximately three days. Water in the condensate storage tanks must be moved to surge tanks before condensers can be emptied. Once the condensers are empty, removal of the standing irradiated water from both units can begin. Officials began moving water to the surge tanks at 4:45 p.m. JST on Tuesday, March 29.
All standing irradiated water must be removed from these units before power to the cooling systems can be restored.
TEPCO resumed spent fuel replenishment efforts at Unit 4 at 4:00 p.m. JST on Wednesday, March 30. Unit 4 was not active at the time of the earthquake, and all of its fuel is currently located in the spent fuel pool. Fifty-three members of the Kobe city fire department were dispatched to aid other involved organizations at Fukushima Daiichi on Tuesday, March 29.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. IIR's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.
Want More IIR News?
Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search.
Add Us On GoogleAsk Us
Have a question for our staff?
Submit a question and one of our experts will be happy to assist you.
Forecasts & Analytical Solutions
Where global project and asset data meets advanced analytics for smarter market sizing and forecasting.
Learn MoreRelated Articles
-
Western U.S. Home to Most Geothermal Power, Other Opportunit...January 20, 2026
-
Solar Expansion Leads Projected U.S. Power Generation GrowthJanuary 20, 2026
-
Brazil Boosts Power Output in 2025, with More Expected in 20...January 20, 2026
-
China's Lower Fossil-Fueled Power Use, India-UAE LNG Deal: ...January 20, 2026
Industrial Project Opportunity Database and Project Leads
Get access to verified capital and maintenance project leads to power your growth.
Learn MoreIndustry Intel
-
From Data to Decisions: How IIR Energy Helps Navigate Market VolatilityOn-Demand Podcast / Nov. 18, 2025
-
Navigating the Hydrogen Horizon: Trends in Blue and Green EnergyOn-Demand Podcast / Nov. 3, 2025
-
ESG Trends & Challenges in Latin AmericaOn-Demand Podcast / Nov. 3, 2025
-
2025 European Transportation & Biofuels Spending OutlookOn-Demand Podcast / Oct. 27, 2025
-
2025 Global Oil & Gas Project Spending OutlookOn-Demand Podcast / Oct. 24, 2025