Does Nuclear power plant need in Japan?
Table of contents
History of Nuclear power plant in Japan
Current situation of the World about Nuclear power plant
Does Nuclear power sustainable ?
Does renewable energy unstable?
Energy policy that Japan should implement in the future
chapter1
History of Nuclear power plant in Japan
Nowadays, energy prices is soaring by Russia's invasion Ukraine.
So, Nuclear power is attracted attention again in the world.
That reason is Nuclear power don't need oil or coal, and no emission CO2.
Russia is leading country of oil and coal production. therefore, If Russia changes energy policy, it will directly worse effect to many country.
Also, current world consensus is promoting climate changes measure. So reduction CO2 emission amount is worldwide issue.
Of course, Japan is no exception this issue.
First, I'll remark about Japan's Nuclear power history.
Japan's nuclear power history can divided to three period.
First, it's "expansion period of nuclear power plant" from 1960s to 2011.
Finally the first nuclear power plant started of operation in Japan in 1966.
From then, nuclear plant was built at a pace of one or more per year.
In 2010, the number of nuclear power plants in Japan were expanded to 54.
Also, it has became responsible for more than 30% of Japan's electricity composition.
Second phase, It's "Nuclear power reduction period".
In 2011, Japan has suffered damage by "Great East Japan Earthquake". It recorded a seismic intensity of 7 and caused the tsunami.
That's economical damage was about 19 trillion yen and many people was died. A hydrogen explosion also occurred in the reactor due to the meltdown. As a result, a large of radioactive material was release to the outside.
After the accident, Suga Naoto prime minister at that time announced to shut down all Nuclear plant in Japan.
And in May 2012 completely stop all plants.
the number of nuclear plants was 0 for the first time in 42 year.
After that, regulations standard of Nuclear plant was strict. and became difficult to built new nuclear plant of Japan's relative company.
Therefore, Japan was made full operation to thermal power generation to compensate reduction of nuclear power.
And from 2010 to 2019, the proportion of thermal power generation increased by 20%.
Third phase is "Decarbonization period" from 2020.
In 2020, previous prime minister Suga declared to achieve carbon neutral by 2050.
But, it difficult to achieve carbon neutral.
Because, the power generation sector occupied 40% in the amount of CO2 emission.
Japan has been depend on thermal power and nuclear power. It implied to lost most important two generation method.
Based on this reality, there are frequent voices from the business community about the restart of nuclear power plant.
chapter2
current situation of the world about nuclear power plant.
Nowadays, the energy price is increasing in the world.
Especially, European country is re-examinating to energy supply chain by Ukraine's situation.
From then, I'll describe each European countries energy policy.
In the case of United Kingdom is planning to build new Nuclear plant up to 8 by 2030 as of April.
Jonson prime minister remarked that Nuclear power is high reliability and safe and stable clean energy.
In Belgium was announced that extension to 10 year of operation period. It was originally decided to decommissioning of two plant.
In France was announced that planning to build 6 new Nuclear plant by 2050.
Macron president remarked that our country need to revival of Nuclear industry.
While, there are some countries that do not break the conventional opinion against Nuclear power.
That country is Germany, Portugal, Austria etc.
chapter3
Does Nuclear power sustainable?
When we think that whether Nuclear power is sustainable, we have to view four point.
That's "cost of generation power", "climate change risk" and "Military attack risk"
First, looking at the estimation of each power generation cost by the Ministry economy, it turns out that Nuclear power is the second cheapest after LNG thermal power.
but, this estimation isn't include additional safe measures cost.
According to Oshima professor's estimation of Ryukoku uni, result of recalculation after considering additional safety measures cost, the Nuclear generation cost is higher than Ministry economy estimation.
In addition, there are costs that are not included in the Oshima's estimation.
That is "back end cost".
It's the cost when power generation is finished.
specifically, it's classified into "interim storage cost", "reprocessing cost", and "final disposal cost".
Interim storage cost is safety store and manage of used nuclear fuel.
Reprocessing cost is extract Plutonium and Uranium from the used nuclear fuel.
Final disposal cost is buried underground at a depth of 300 meter or more, after that, a monitoring period required for a certain period.
Recently, the construction standards for nuclear plant have become stricter, and the cost of new construction is rising.
We generally think that nuclear power become to solve climate change.
Actually, 126 plants had to limit output and stop operation by sea level rise, storm surge and rising water temperature.
In addition, we have to consider geopolitical risk.
Because, Russia and Kazakhstan occupied half of the production of Uranium for nuclear reactor.
Also, Nuclear plant was targeted of Military attack to Ukraine invasion by Russia. It didn't actually hit the nuclear plant itself, but if it did, it would have caused great damage.
Considering these risk, Nuclear power may not sustainable energy.
chapter 4
Does renewable energy unstable?
So far, I mainly described about Nuclear power.
In this chapter, I'll remark about renewable energy.
Do you think about renewable energy?
In generally, renewable energy is believed unstable and expensive of generation cost.
because, it's depend on the weather.
But, that idea may be old.
Needless to say, renewable energy is effective to enhance Earth sustainability.
when the weather is bad, wind power, hydro power and biomass power make up for solar power.
In this way, there are many generation method in renewable energy. therefore, renewable energy is stable because it can generate some kind of power in any weather.
Actually, In recent years, the transition to renewable energy is progressing in various countries around the world, mainly in Europe.
But, it's a global story, Japan is exception.
because, Japan is small area country and there are many mountain.
From then, Let's look at each renewable energy situation in Japan.
First, wind power can be divided land generation and sea generation.
Land generation case is need to generation site and compliance of regulation.
therefore, onshore wind power has barriers to regulation and location.
while, sea wind power requires shallow waters and technology.
but, Japan hasn't shallow waters.
Floating sea wind power turbines can generate electricity even under locations conditions such as Japan.
but, floating sea need high technology.
solar power is most spread in Japan by Electric power purchase system.
also, the advantage of solar power is that it can be introduced even by small businesses and the construction period is short.
but, there are many mountain in Japan and flat place is few to solar power.
as a measure to improve the current situation, devastated agricultural land is attention.
hydro power has to large scale construction and take a large cost.
also, hydro power is not good for environment by deforestation.
considering these, renewable energy may not be unconditionally sustainable.
chapter 5
Energy policy that Japan should implement in the future.
From this chapter, I'll remark mixed opinion of fact and personal opinion.
I described Japan's energy situation.
Japan is not good place for renewable energy.
but, eventually, Japan must also realize a carbon free society.
Towards that, Japan must promote the introduction of renewable energy as much as possible.
However, if it's rapidly promote to renewable energy, we'll confusing.
Realistically speaking, I think that Japan need to nuclear power and thermal power etc 10 years left.
During that 10 years, I think we should gradually spread renewable energy and make economies of scale work.
of course, I'm not denying renewable energy.
I think that's preparing period to realize of carbon free society.
we young people should interested in environment issue and energy problem.
also, more specifically, Industrial car should change to EV or Hydrogen fuel car.
and attempt to work on energy problems are often at a disadvantage to the low income group.
because energy is high public and if taxes on the environment are raised, the lives of low-income group will be squeezed.
In order to avoid this, the high-income group is often directly and indirectly involved in CO2 emissions, so I think the tax rate for high-income group should be raised.
Reference information
https://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/.
https://www.env.go.jp/.
https://world-nuclear.org/.
https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/energy-economics/statistical-review-of-world-energy.html.
https://newspicks.com/.