Resilient design in nuclear energy: Critical lessons from a cross-disciplinary analysis of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident

Ayoub, Ali; Wainwright, Haruko M.; Sansavini, Giovanni; Gauntt, Randall; Saito, Kimiaki

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2024.109485

Title: Resilient design in nuclear energy: Critical lessons from a cross-disciplinary analysis of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident

Journal Article · 11 March 2024 · iScience

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.109485 · OSTI ID:2471756

^[1]; Wainwright, Haruko M. ^[1]; Sansavini, Giovanni ^[2]; Gauntt, Randall ^[3]; Saito, Kimiaki ^[4]

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States)
ETH Zurich (Switzerland)
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Fukushima (Japan)

This paper presents a multidisciplinary analysis of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Along with the latest observations and simulation studies, we synthesize the time-series and event progressions during the accident across multiple disciplines, including in-plant physics and engineering systems, operators’ actions, emergency responses, meteorology, radionuclide release and transport, land contamination, and health impacts. We identify three key factors that exacerbated the consequences of the accident: (1) the failure of Unit 2 containment venting, (2) the insufficient integration of radiation measurements and meteorology data in the evacuation strategy, and (3) the limited risk assessment and emergency preparedness. We conclude with new research and development directions to improve the resilience of nuclear energy systems and communities, including (1) meteorology-informed proactive venting, (2) machine learning-enabled adaptive evacuation zones, and (3) comprehensive risk-informed emergency planning while leveraging the experience from responses to other disasters.

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Research Organization:: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: NA0003525

OSTI ID:: 2471756

Journal Information:: iScience, Journal Name: iScience Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 27; ISSN 2589-0042

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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