Fukushima Daiichi NPS Prompt Report 2016

But challenging environment is delaying insertion of the robot

Important progress has been made toward clearing a path for a robot to explore inside the Unit 2 reactor.

Earlier, efforts to robotically explore the reactor were stymied when rows of concrete blocks blocked the robot's path. Although the robots are designed to be able to crawl around and over small pieces of debris, these were too large for the robots to navigate around.

Last June, efforts began to remove these large blocks, and that work itself had to be paused between July and September until the right machinery could be brought in to remove blocks that were embedded in place. That work resumed on September 28 and was completed just a few days later on October 1.

As TEPCO plans for the next effort to insert the robot, however, additional challenges have emerged in the vicinity of the insertion point - the X-6 penetration pipe. The relatively high radiation is preventing workers from preparatory work such as setting a boring device for robot insertion.

After several decontamination measures were conducted, the radiation level in the vicinity of the X-6 penetration pipe is beginning to decrease partially. But the radiation level being still high as a whole, TEPCO has concluded that the insertion of the robot should be rescheduled, likely for some time after FY 2015. The rescheduling is not expected to have a impact on the medium-term road map.

The rescheduling, required partly by the high radiation levels inside the reactor, reflects the company's determination to place safety over schedules.

TEPCO plans to start the investigation as soon as possible.

For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTEPCOen/posts/1032282123497753.

About TEPCO
Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc. (TEPCO) is Japan's largest power company, supplying energy to the greater Kanto area, including Japan's two most populous cities, Tokyo and Yokohama. Its 34,000 employees are committed to providing safe, reliable power to its 29.0 million customers, diversifying energy resources to ensure sustainability, and contributing to economic growth while fully meeting its responsibilities after the Fukushima Daiichi accident.
*TEPCO Website: http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/index-e.html
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