TEPCO confirms power connected to Daiichi plant, electricity can be supplied

[Hannah Bell]

1950: Statement from the station operator (Tepco): "Tepco has connected the external transmission line with the receiving point of the plant and confirmed that electricity can be supplied."

1948: Engineers have successfully attached a power cable to the crippled Fukushima station -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698


TEPCO connects line, can get power to Daiichi plant

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/18/us-japan-quake-nuclear-idUSTRE72H71K20110318

(TEPCO) said on Friday it had connected an external transmission line with the stricken Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan and confirmed that electricity can be supplied.

In a statement seen in New York, the company said it "planned to supply Unit 2 first, followed by Unit 1, Unit 3 and Unit 4 ... because Unit 2 is expected to be less damaged".

[Aerows]

1. The big question, however...

...is how the infrastructure is fairing at the plant, and how much applying power to crippled infrastructure will matter. I'm not trying to be negative about it, but I think that's a valid question. I hope *something* starts working to bring the heat levels down.

[Hannah Bell]

2. yes, that's a valid question, & you pose it in a non-hysterical way.

thank you for that.

it irks me to see the sensationalized "reporting" of the daily mail getting double digit recs while the actual fact of restored power supply is ignored.

[KeepItReal]

3. +1...Are the cooling systems even intact after the explosions?

TEPCO keeps going from one failed course of action to another - like they are just going through the motions.

Remember the TEPCO CEO wanted to evacuate all personnel and the leader of Japan had to make 'em stay onsite to see this through.

I'm hoping this works, too.

[bluecoat_fan]

4. One ocean Feed Water pump would be nice

at least they would give them a water source to the facility.

[Turbineguy]

6. Electric motors and controllers were flooded

But they can be replaced quickly from spares (hours, not days). Remote valve control may be an issue in areas of explosions.

[kristopher]

11. You mean in the normal course of events they can be replaced quickly.

The discussion this morning on NHK made clear that optimism is premature.

[Old and In the Way]

5. encouraging news....

If the pumps can get back online, that will help help to stabilize the problem and buy the TEPKO engineers some time to catch up and regain some control of this situation. I guess the next question is...are the primary/secondary pumps up to the task?

[meow mix]

7. *cheers

man i hope they can turn this around now..

[gateley]

8. Good news! They need a bit of something going their way. Wishing them success! nt

[jtuck004]

9. Kick. Now hope for leaks that can be overcome, and clear water intake. eom

[godai]

10. A little more good news. Hope the pumps will work. n/t