Kansai Electric Power Launches Two Joint Research Projects for Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning
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Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. announced on August 24 that it has completed the selection of joint research projects related to nuclear power plant decommissioning for fiscal year 2026, choosing two proposals from previously solicited research plans, and signed joint research contracts and commenced research activities on the same day.
The projects target research on products and technologies applicable to decommissioning operations at Kansai Electric Power's nuclear power plants. The company solicited research proposals to be implemented from fiscal year 2026 between March 16 and April 30, 2026, with a focus on improving the safety and efficiency of dismantling operations, reducing radioactive waste, and supporting local companies in developing related products and technologies.
One of the selected projects is undertaken by TVE Refine Metal Co., Ltd., focusing on automatic cutting of metal pipe dismantled components using robots. This technology aims to improve the efficiency of metal pipe dismantling operations during nuclear power plant decommissioning by rotating the dismantled metal pipe components and having robots perform automatic fine cutting.
The other selected research project is undertaken by LDD Co., Ltd., covering three-dimensional automatic focus control for laser decontamination equipment. This research targets the practical application of laser decontamination technology in decommissioning operations, aiming to automatically control the laser focus position in three-dimensional space according to the shape of the object being decontaminated, thereby promoting the application of such equipment in waste reduction.
Kansai Electric Power stated that it will continue to collaborate with local companies and others on decommissioning-related research and development, and support companies willing to advance technology development in participating in innovation for nuclear power plant decommissioning technologies.
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