Development of maintenance technology. Measures against aging deterioration/new inspection system/advanced operation

After the Fukushima Daiichi Accident, more than half of the Japan's nuclear power plants have now been operating for more than 30 years. Some have applied for extensions so that they could keep operating for more than 40 years. Higher reliability and reliability operation are required for these aging plants. On top of that, new requirements such as the new regulations in light of the lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi Accident, as well as a new inspection system that aims to achieve continuous improvement in safety, have also been imposed on the aging plants. Furthermore, due to the deregulation of electric utilities, nuclear power generation is also expected to make some efforts toward enhanced competitiveness against other energy sources. In order to address these changes in the business environment, it is necessary to conduct a review from a new perspective in addition to maintenance technologies so far. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) will contribute to Japan's energy security by supporting electric power companies with further improvement in our maintenance technologies. (author)