The Fukushima Disaster and Japan’s Nuclear Plant Vulnerability in Comparative Perspective

TLDR

Higher elevations for plant sites, sea walls, and waterproof backup generators could have mitigated or prevented the Fukushima disaster. The study examines the vulnerability of nuclear power plants to a disaster like the Fukushima Daiichi incident. Data were collected on plant elevation, sea‑wall height, backup‑generator location, and historical run‑up heights for 89 coastal nuclear power plants worldwide. The analysis revealed that plant elevation, sea‑wall height, and backup‑generator location were the critical factors at Fukushima, and that Japanese plants were generally less protected against inundation than international peers, with older plants and those owned by the largest utilities being especially vulnerable.

Abstract

We consider the vulnerability of nuclear power plants to a disaster like the one that occurred at Fukushima Daiichi. Examination of Japanese nuclear plants affected by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011 shows that three variables were crucial at the early stages of the crisis: plant elevation, sea wall elevation, and location and status of backup generators. Higher elevations for these variables, or waterproof protection of backup generators, could have mitigated or prevented the disaster. We collected information on these variables, along with historical data on run-up heights, for 89 coastal nuclear power plants in the world. The data shows that 1. Japanese plants were relatively unprotected against potential inundation in international comparison, but there was considerable variation for power plants within and outside of Japan; 2. Older power plants and plants owned by the largest utility companies appear to have been particularly unprotected.