PressRelease
プ レ スリリース
Preparations for Establishment ofNuclear Risk Research Center to Support Sustained
Commitment to Reduce Nuclear Risk
(1) To serve as a nucleus for research and development necessary for utilities to improvesafety on their own initiative(2) To actively utilize probabilistic risk assessments (PRA), as such methods are useful for
reducing risk by shedding light on events that, although low frequency, have thepotential to inflict heavy damage, and for formulating countermeasures(3) To formulate a “Research and Development Roadmap,” and effectively promote researchand development by applying PDCA, which extends to utilization of R&D results
June 13, 2014
Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI)The Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI) (President: Masahiro Kakumu;
Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) has decided to establish the Nuclear Risk Research Center in the firsthalf of the current fiscal year, and will proceed with the necessary preparations.

(1)

In the aftermath of the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, CRIEPI formed theNuclear Power Plant Safety Research Team in July 2012, which was comprised of approximately 90
researchers in nuclear safety-related fields. This team assembled information, formulated acomprehensive strategy, and conducted research and development to effectively achieve results
useful in enhancing safety. During this time, subsequent to the emergency safety measures
immediately after the accident, utilities implemented additional safety improvement measures atpower stations in response to new regulatory requirements enacted by the Nuclear Regulation
Authority in July 2013. CRIEPI results were also used to a considerable extent in that context.
Yet, in the course of these processes, there was once again an acute awareness among all that itis vital to continually strive for even higher levels of safety in the use of nuclear power generation. To
that end, utilities must not limit themselves to the requirements of the regulatory framework
alone, but must work to reduce risks on their own initiative. As an additional outcome, thechallenges faced in research and development necessary for reducing risks came to be more clearlydefined.
To enable CRIEPI to serve as a center for finding solutions to such issues, we therefore decided tofurther reinforce the system for research by the special research team and establish the Nuclear Risk
Research Center in the first half of the current fiscal year. The Center will serve to promote research
1and development through stronger collaboration and cooperation with relevant organizations
both inside and outside Japan.
(2)

In light of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, the most important challenge
faced in reducing risks is to lower the probability of an accident arising. This will be accomplished by
implementing appropriate measures to counter natural disasters involving large earthquakes,
massive tsunamis, and tornados as well as other events that are low frequency, yet have thepotential to cause significant damage. Similarly important are measures to mitigate any damage if
an accident does occur.
To that end, it is important that, on the basis of collection, experiments, analyses and otherinvestigation of past data, we further intensify our efforts to elucidate the mechanisms throughwhich such events occur, precisely predict the progression and behavior of accidents at power
stations that have been caused by such events, and formulate countermeasures. Moreover, because
the focus is on events that are low frequency and involve substantial uncertainty, it is necessary toverify the effectiveness of measures based on comprehensive risk assessments utilizing PRA andother probabilistic methods.
The Center will focus on research and development to acquire technology and know-how thatwill be used in these activities.
(3) Reducing risks associated with low frequency events is no easy task. The Center will therefore
draft the Research and Development Roadmap with a view toward applying our results to the fieldand reflecting them in specific efforts such as standardization. The roadmap will expressly indicate
the order in which challenges will be prioritized, specifying what is to be achieved and the timings
involved. Then, based on this roadmap, the Center will marshal the wisdom of relevantorganizations and generate a cycle combining research and development with utilization ofresults, so as to contribute steadily and reliably to attaining ever higher levels of safety.
A Technical Advisory Committee, to be comprised of experts from both inside and outside Japan,
will be set up to secure scientific objectivity in the operation of the Center by reviewing researchplans, as well as research results and the extent to which they are utilized, and by providing guidanceand advice.

2■ Outline of the Organization
 Name：Nuclear Risk Research Center Scheduled date of establishment：In the first half of PY 2014
 Location：Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Otemachi（Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo）（Research activities will be conducted mainly in Abiko and Komae）
 The number of members：Approximately 100（including members who have two posts）■ Main Functions
 Research & Development(1)Pick up technical issues and formulate the roadmap for research and development(2)Clarify mechanisms of low-frequent event and behaviors of power plant(3)Risk assessment, make measures, consider risk communication method(4)Coordinate the safety research with related organizations
 Reflection of Research Results(1)Technical supports for result application of specific activity for risk reduction by utilities(2)Confirm the state of refection of the results, and promote application of the results(collaborating with Japan Nuclear Safety Institute (JANSI))(3)Send information and conduct dialogue about Research results and so on.

3■ Main Research and Expected Results
Category
Active fault, Seismic

Research Theme
Seismic activity of fault・judging method of possibility of simultaneous rupture,
diffuse seismicity and impact evaluation etc

TsunamiTsunami Scale・ impact assessment, protection measures etc

Other external events

Tornado scale・impact assessment, volcano eruption scale・impact assessment,
protection measure etc

Inner fire

Volcano impact evaluation method, protection measure etc

Inner overflow

Rapture-postulation of high energy piping etc

PRA technology

Development of PRA method for external natural hazards, human reliability
evaluation method etc

PRA application

Prevention of each accident・evaluation of impact mitigation effectiveness,risk management method etc

TermShort term（1-2 years）

Medium Term
（In 3-5 years）

Medium- Long Term
（5-10 years）
Continuous working

Expected Results・Development of evaluation method for seismic activity of fault (absolute dating,simultaneous rupture)・Development of formulating method for standard seismic motion (Diffuse seismicity,
3D sub surface structure)・Refining tsunami scale evaluation (Tsunami deposit), development of wave impactevaluation (wave power, impact)
・Development of plant parameters evaluation method for PRA・Fault displacement prediction and development of facility impact evaluation method,
draft protection measure
・Development of risk evaluation methods for inner fire, inner overflow, tornado,
volcano・Development of Seismic-Tsunami PRA evaluation method
・Proposal for development of seismic performance evaluation method (displacement
evaluation for ground and slope, elastic-plastic evaluation for instrumentation)
・ sites where many plants locate, development of risk assessment method forcompound external hazard
・Proposal for improvement based on application of risk information

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A look of investigation of active fault, andSample analysis with X-ray computed
tomography scanner

The whole view of Tsunami physical simulator
And breakwater overflows experimentation■ Relationship with Other Organizations5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------＜Explanation of Technical Word＞※1「PRA：Probabilistic Risk Assessment」：
Probabilistic Risk Assessment is a method to show the degree of safety by making a comparison of “Risk”. The “Risk” iscalculated by multiplying frequency and impact of an event which are evaluated quantitatively in consideration of every
possible accident in nuclear facilities.

For inquiries, please contact us here
https://criepi.denken.or.jp/cgi-bin/en/inquiry/inquiry_entry.cgi

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