Looking back the progress of the ATR project, it has faced many challenges in coming up with new technologies. However, the technological development was carried out steady and proof-oriented way. This was the major reason why Fugen did not severely fail in the technological development. This accomplishment was made possible by the cooperation of electric companies, manufacturers, and research institutes that were involved in the project, as their human resources worked under a consistent system throughout development, construction, and operation. Another reason for the project's successful development is the colligation of nuclear technologies in Japan to a sufficient extent.
A new type of nuclear power plant, Fugen was designed, constructed, and operated based on self-research and efforts, and it produced favorable achievements. This experience built up the confidence of engineers who took part in this project, and the enormous contribution they made to nuclear development in Japan is immeasurable. Presently, those people who were engaged in the project are playing active roles in organizations and companies in various fields that support the foundation of this country; science and industrial technologies, including nuclear power. Development of these human assets is another great achievement of the Fugen project. |
After the termination of operation, Fugen will be decommissioned and will take on new mission. The preparatory work, such as evaluation of the radioactive inventory and development of a decommissioning engineering support system, have made steady progress since it was started in 1997. Meanwhile, decommissioning is a confronting task for commercial reactors as well, and development of related element technologies is nearly completed. The Fugen project has an important role in this respect, as those technologies will be applied to the decommissioning of the Fugen reactor in order to demonstrate their practicality, and will be refined, in terms of safety, economizing, and environmental protection. The other role is to ensure the accomplishment of the decommissioning. It is expected, just as in Fugen's developmental phase, that related organizations, research institutes, and companies will make efforts to take advantage of this opportunity to verify their decommissioning technologies.
Finally, we express our gratitude to those who were involved in various areas of the Fugen project for their warm support and advice. At the same time, we would like to ask for continuous guidance and encouragement for Fugen's role in the future. |
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