Fukushima Nuclear Disaster and Energy Overview

Fukushima Daiichi

Site of the 2011 nuclear disaster in Japan.

Level 7 event

Highest rating on the International Nuclear Event Scale.

9.0-magnitude earthquake

Triggered tsunami on March 11, 2011.

Tsunami height

Waves reached over 40 meters (131 feet).

Reactor cooling systems

Failed due to flooded backup generators.

Partial meltdowns

Occurred in reactors 1, 2, and 3.

Hydrogen gas buildup

Caused explosions in reactor buildings.

Radiation leaks

Forced evacuation of over 150,000 residents.

Cesium-137

Long-lived radioactive isotope of concern.

Economic damage

Japan temporarily shut down nuclear power fleet.

Global nuclear policy shifts

Countries accelerated plans to phase out nuclear power.

Cleanup duration

Expected to take over 40 years.

Treated radioactive wastewater

Japan began releasing into the Pacific Ocean.

Tsunami defenses

Plant's seawall was inadequate for tsunami protection.

Backup power systems

Should be designed to withstand tsunamis.

Nuclear safety standards

Re-evaluated globally after the disaster.

Energy

Capacity to do work in various forms.

Power

Rate of energy transfer, measured in watts.

Newton (N)

Unit of force; accelerates 1 kg by 1 m/s².

Joule (J)

Unit of work; 1 N moves 1 m.

Watt (W)

Unit of power; 1 J per second.

Energy consumption (U.S.)

Average home uses 11,000 kWh yearly.

Fossil fuels

Account for 80% of global energy use.

Energy Return on Investment (EROI)

Ratio of energy gained to energy used.

Electricity production

Significant energy loss occurs, especially non-renewables.

Coal efficiency

Only 29% of coal energy converted to electricity.

LED bulbs

Use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs.

Clean Car Standards

Policies regulating fuel efficiency improvements.

Coal ash spill

39,000 tons spilled in Dan River, 2014.

Petroleum (Oil)

Liquid fossil fuel refined into various products.

Natural gas

Composed of 80-95% methane, used for heating.

Nuclear fission

Chain reaction generates heat for electricity.

Nuclear waste management

90,000 metric tons stored in deep pools.

Yucca Mountain

Proposed nuclear waste site, defunded in 2009.

Public perception of nuclear power

High fear due to past nuclear disasters.