Nuclear Stress Tests Do Little to Quell Japan’s Safety Concerns

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) released further information regarding Japan”s pending nuclear stress tests, but the tests have done little to quell public concern in Japan over the safety of nuclear energy sources, according to a report by Industrial Info Resources.

As it stands now, Industrial Info reports the stress tests are to be broken into two separate stages. The first stage, which will be applied to those reactors downed for maintenance, will take into account a nuclear power station”s ability to cope with stressors. These include earthquakes, tsunami, loss of power and the inability to vent heat in the case of emergency. Stage 2 will determine whether or not the nuclear energy industry as a whole should continue by evaluating how plants are able to cope with a combination of stressors.

In lieu of nuclear energy, Industrial Info says the Japanese government is taking the brakes off of renewable energy development. More and more companies are latching onto this initiative. Gas companies, like Tokyo Gas Company Limited (TYO:9531) (Tokyo), and service providers, like the mobile phone company Softbank Corporation (TYO:9984) (Tokyo), are pushing into the areas of wind and solar power, respectively. Sharp Corporation (TYO:6753) (Osaka, Japan) is also pushing for further domestic solar power development despite China”s surplus of less-expensive solar panels.

In the meantime, Industrial Info says thermal energy will continue to play a significant role in the country”s energy mix. Though the demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) has slowed, demand is still higher in comparison to last year. New gas-fired and LNG-fired capacity is being planned by power generation companies, as well as by the government.

For the full Industrial Info report on this story, click here (registration required).