On October 22, according to Fukushima Central Television, Tokyo Electric Power Company reported that the system responsible for transmitting critical data from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant to Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority ceased operation at midnight local time.
This malfunction occurred in the system associated with Reactor Unit 5 of the Fukushima plant. The system’s primary role is to continuously send vital information, such as temperature and pressure readings, to the Nuclear Regulation Authority, which monitors the plant’s operational status. This system is also referred to as the “Emergency Response Support System.”
Tokyo Electric Power Company confirmed that the shutdown of the system at midnight has led to an interruption in the submission of reactor data from Unit 5. In the meantime, the company is using alternative methods, including email and fax, to relay information to the Nuclear Regulation Authority.
The cause of the malfunction is still under investigation.
