Efforts toward Safe, Steady and Efficient D&D
Toyoaki Yamauchi, Satoshi Karigome and Hitoshi Ohata
The Japan Atomic Power Company1-1, Kanda-mitoshiro-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0053, Japan

Key words; D&D, Tsuruga-1

Abstract
Before Fukushima Daiichi accident, only four nuclear power plants (NPPs) were under decommissioning inJapan. But other eleven NPPs were decided to terminate operation after Fukushima Daiichi accident, and someof those NPPs started decommissioning work recently. It is supposed that the number of NPPs indecommissioning phase will continue to increase in the future.
In order to advance decommissioning, there are four principal conditions which have to be established. Inorder to responsibly finish all the activities of the closed NPPs, it is necessary for all the stakeholders involved innuclear power generation to play their roles respectively to establish the conditions above.
Because it is also important for Japanese utilities to learn decommissioning experience of other countries,
The Japan Atomic Power Company (JAPC) signed an agreement with EnergySolutions on strategic cooperation
for Japanese decommissioning projects for the introduction of successful international experiences in April 2016.
1.

Current situation on D&D of nuclear power plants in Japan
Before Fukushima Daiichi accident in March 11, 2011, only four NPPs, Tokai-1 (GCR), Fugen (ATR) andHamaoka-1/2 (BWR), were under decommissioning in Japan.
But after Fukushima Daiichi accident, other NPPs, Mihama-1&2 (PWR), Tsuruga-1 (BWR), Genkai-1(PWR), Shimane-1 (BWR), Ikata-1 (PWR) and Monju (FBR), were decided to terminate operation, and most of
those NPPs started D&D work recently (See Table-1 and Table-2.). It is supposed that the number of NPPs indecommissioning phase will continue to increase in the future.
Table-1 Current Status of NPPs in Japan
Status as of October 31, 2017

NumberNPPs

Commercial operation

5

Sendai-1&2, Ikata-3, Takahama-3&4

Preparation for restart (Reactor establishment
license amendment was approved.)
Under NRA Review (Application for the reactor
establishment
licenseamendment
wassubmitted.)

7

Takahama-1&2, Mihama-3, Ohi-3&4,Genkai-3&4
Tomari-1,2&3, Higashi-dori-1, Onagawa-2,Kariwazaki-6&7, Tokai-2, Hamaoka-3&4,Shika-2, Shimane-2, Tsuruga-2, Ohma

14

Under consideration

19

Kashiwazaki-1,2,3,4&5, Ohi-1&2, etc.

Preparation for Decommissioning (PermanentShutdown)

1

Monju

Decommissioning

10

Dealing with the accident for Decommissioning

6Tokai-1, Hamaoka-1&2, Fugen, Mihama-1&2,Genkai-1, Shimane-1, Tsuruga-1, Ikata-1
Fukushima Daiichi-1,2,3,4,5&6

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6th East Asia Forum on Radwaste Management Conference
November 27-29, 2017, Osaka, Japan

Session 2B-1
East Asia Forum on Radwaste Management
27-28 November 2017, Osaka
Table-2 NPPs under decommissioning & preparation for decommissioning in Japan
Plant

Operator

TypeElectricCapacity

Commercial Operation

Permanent Shutdown

Tokai-1

JAPC

GCR

166MW

Jul.25. 1966

Mar.31. 1998

Fugen

JAEA

ATR

165MW

Mar.20. 1979

Mar.29. 2003

Hamaoka-1

CHUBU

BWR

540MW

Mar.17. 1976

Jan.30. 2009

Hamaoka-2

CHUBU

BWR

840MW

Nov.29. 1978

Jan.30. 2009

Tsuruga-1

JAPC

BWR

357MW

Mar.14. 1970

Apr.27. 2015

Mihama-1

KANSAI

PWR

340MW

Nov.28. 1970

Apr.27. 2015

Mihama-2

KANSAI

PWR

500MW

Jul.25.1972

Apr.27. 2015

Genkai-1

KYUSHU

PWR

559MW

Oct.15. 1975

Apr.27. 2015

Shimane-1

CHUGOKU

BWR

460MW

Mar.29. 1974

Apr.30. 2015

Ikata-1

SHIKOKU

PWR

566MW

Sep.30. 1977

May 10. 2016

Monju

JAEA

FBR

280MW

Sep.18. 1991
(start of test operation)

Dec 21. 2016
(decision of shutdown)

2.

Issues and efforts for safe, steady and efficient D&D in Japan
It is necessary for not only electric utilities but also all the Japanese people and local citizens to perform thedecontamination and decommissioning (D&D) of NPPs safely, steadily and efficiently because the increase of
the cost necessary for performing D&D activities may lead to the increase of the liability of Japanese people.
In order to perform D&D activities efficiently, there are four principal conditions which have to beestablished, such as:1) Organization and staff with culture and mindset suitable for D&D project2) Securing paths for spent fuel and low-level radioactive waste (LLW)
3) Funding and accounting system
4) Reasonable regulation and D&D operation
2.1 Culture, mindset and organization for D&D project“D&D” is a quite different field from “Research and development (R&D)” and “Operation and Maintenance(O&M)” in nuclear industry as shown in Table-3. Culture & mindset are quite different among them. It isimpossible for a person to switch his thinking way each time. D&D activities except for Fukushima Daiichi 1-4
can be implemented with existing (proven) technologies. R&D may increase D&D project risk (cost increase &schedule delay). Management is much more important than technologies. Especially, total program management
including waste management is most important as a key part.
Japanese electric utilities have to change their mind to be suitable for safe, steady and efficient D&D. It isalso expected that regulator and local stakeholders understand and recognize the difference between D&D
activities and reactor operation. Japanese electric utilities should perform D&D safely, steadily and efficiently incooperation with all stakeholders. It is also important to establish incentive-providing system to contractors andindividuals. Human resource development to maintain know-how and experience is also important for long-term
D&D project.

Table-3 Tree thinking ways in nuclear industry
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6th East Asia Forum on Radwaste Management Conference
November 27-29, 2017, Osaka, JapanSession 2B-1
East Asia Forum on Radwaste Management
27-28 November 2017, Osaka

FieldsViewpoints and Concerns

R&D· What kind of the R&D is necessary?
· Are innovative technologies used? (dismantling, decontamination, waste treatment and disposal)· Does the R&D leads to future opportunities?

O&M· How to operate D&D safely and steadily under strict quality assurance and safety system?
· How to maintain the existing equipment and dismantling/treatment devices for My Own Plant?

D&D· How to perform D&D with minimal cost and shortest schedule based on safety first?
· How to optimize Project Cost and Project Risk?
· Do not waste money, because it is only Waste!

2.2 Securing paths for spent fuel and LLWCurrently there is no disposal facility in Japan for LLW arisen from D&D activities. LLW can be classified
into three categories such as L1 (relatively high level), L2 (relatively low level) and L3 (very low level). Current
status on LLW disposal facility is as follows.
L1; Regulatory standard is being developed.
L2; Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL) is currently operating L2 disposal facility only for operational
waste.
L3; JAPC’s Tokai L3 disposal facility is under licensing review. Each utility individually considers theirown L3 disposal facility.
In addition to disposal facility for LLW, it is essential to secure spent fuel (SF) paths. Some utilities are
currently constructing interim SF storage facility.
“Free release of clearance material” is also necessary for efficient D&D. It is desirable to expand the scope ofthe clearance material, to reduce excessive conservatism in regulator’s verification and to simplify licensing
procedures.
2.3 Funding and accounting system
In Japan, following funding and accounting system is currently established.
① Funding System
Utilities recognize D&D cost as an asset retirement obligation (ARO), and reserve a fund internally as
an allowance for D&D activities.
② Accounting System
The remaining book value of NPP can be depreciated even after decommissioning period.
2.4 Reasonable regulation and D&D operation
Regulation suitable for decommissioning stage/LLW disposal is needed. Risk level of NPPs indecommissioning stage is greatly reduced from those in operating stage. Therefore, regulation corresponding tothe risk level (graded approach) is expected. NPPs in decommissioning stage can be regarded as radiologicalfacility rather than nuclear facility. Owners also need to manage D&D and LLW based on more reasonablemindset in the field of maintenance of existing SSCs, waste confirmation conservatism, etc.

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6th East Asia Forum on Radwaste Management Conference
November 27-29, 2017, Osaka, Japan

Session 2B-1
East Asia Forum on Radwaste Management
27-28 November 2017, Osaka

Figure-1 Change of risk level during decommissioning period (image)3.

D&D activities in JAPCJAPC was established in 1957 as a wholesale electric power company solely engaged in nuclear energy inJapan. Since then, JAPC continues to play a leading role in the electric power industry as a pioneer in the field ofnuclear power generation through various projects, including the construction of the first commercial NPP(Tokai-1) in Japan and other NPPs (Tsuruga-1&2, Tokai-2). JAPC also has a long history of D&D activities forNPPs. Table-4 shows key events with regard to D&D activities for NPPs owned by JAPC.
Because it is important for Japanese electric utilities to learn D&D experiences in other countries, JAPC has
been cooperating with various overseas organizations related to decontamination, dismantling of systems,
components and structures (SSCs) and demolition of buildings, radioactive waste processing and disposal.
Table-5 shows the history of JAPC’s cooperation with concerned organization abroad.
As part of the collaboration with international D&D companies, in April 2016, JAPC signed an agreementwith EnergySolutions (ES), an American company dedicated to D&D business, on strategic cooperation forJapanese D&D projects for the purpose of the introduction of successful international experiences.
As a first step in this cooperation, D&D know-how accumulated inside ES through the US D&D projects isbeing applied to Tsuruga-1 D&D project with verifying its applicability to D&D projects in Japan.
Table-4 Key events in JAPC in D&D field
Date

EventsDec., 2001

JAPC started Tokai D&D after submit of dismantling notification.

Jun., 2006

Tokai D&D Plan was approved in accordance with revised Reactor Regulation Law.

Sep., 2006

Clearance measurement method for Tokai was approved

Mar., 2015

JAPC decided a basic management plan that features Fukushima support, D&D
business and overseas business.

Mar., 2015

JAPC signed a basic agreement with TEPCO regarding cooperation for 1F D&Dbusiness.

Jul., 2015

JAPC applied for Tokai L3 disposal project license.

May, 2017

JAPC started Tsuruga-1 D&D after approval of D&D plan.
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6th East Asia Forum on Radwaste Management Conference
November 27-29, 2017, Osaka, Japan

Session 2B-1
East Asia Forum on Radwaste Management
27-28 November 2017, Osaka

Table-5 JAPC cooperation history with D&D organization abroad
DateTopics

Jun., 2003

JAPC joined the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) of OECD / NEA D&D Program, andregularly participates in this meeting.

Sep., 2003

JAPC signed an information exchange agreement with the D&D division of EDF (DP2D),
and is continuing information exchange regularly.

Apr., 2016

JAPC signed an agreement with EnergySolutions regarding collaboration for the LWR
D&D in Japan, taking into consideration of future joint business.

Nov., 2016

JAPC signed an agreement with the UK NDA regarding information exchange(confidentiality obligation) of GCR D&D (Magnox & Tokai).

4.

Conclusions
JAPC is making efforts to perform safe, steady and efficient D&D activities in Japan with learning theworld-wide D&D experiences with aiming at contributing to nuclear industry in Japan.

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6th East Asia Forum on Radwaste Management Conference
November 27-29, 2017, Osaka, Japan