Alessandro Dodaro: “The power plant is resistant, it yields under massive bombings”
“THEThere is no such thing as zero risk, but I think it is highly unlikely that an event similar to the Chernobyl disaster in Zaporizhzhia will happen again. In the worst case, however, a new Fukushima could arise ». Alessandro Dodaro is the director of the Department of Fusion and Nuclear Safety of Enea (National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development). He is wary of creating alarmism, but explains why the mission of the IAEA inspectors is fundamental and what Europe risks at the moment.
Why can a nuclear disaster such as the one that occurred in 1986 be ruled out in all probability?
“Because at the time it was a phenomenon that originated from within. Now, if more bombs hit the reactor, the (unlikely) accident would occur due to external causes “.
Explain to us better.
“In Chernobyl there was the core surrounded by a graphite moderator, which had oxidized at high temperatures. Fires broke out and an explosion occurred, causing nuclear material to leak from the core itself. Which caused enormous damage around, plus a radioactive cloud that went around the world, devastating mainly Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. As the Zaporizhzhia reactors are made, however, there are extremely resistant steel containers, like a sort of huge pressure cooker containing cooling water. There is no possibility of fires and explosions like in Chernobyl ».
Not even in the event of a bombing?
“There should be a willingness to destroy the reactor. A persistence to damage it, much more serious than a missile that hits it with a graze or even hits it. The “pressure cookers” are resistant. In the event of bombing damage, it could spill slightly radioactive water, but there would be time to shut down the reactor and cool the core. There would be days of advantage before more important radioactive releases “.
What if you fail to act in time?
“If the core does not cool, then it could melt, like in Fukushima. The release of radioactive gas would occur, with consequences for a few kilometers around ».
Isn’t there, then, a real risk for Europe?
«The risk is more local. And to get it, someone would have to voluntarily search for the nuclear accident. I repeat, destroy the reactor on purpose with massive attacks. ‘
Are the alarms sent by Ukrainian President Zelensky every day excessive?
“As a technician, I do not believe that the catastrophe that I feel feared by the parties is possible. I also say, however, that if I were a politician I would probably use every means to secure international support and in particular from Europe. I understand the behavior, in short, originated to attract attention ».
What should we expect from the IAEA inspection?
“It is a very important mission, because it will finally bring some clarity and give a lot of reassurance, dissolving the concerns of these months. Meanwhile, light will be shed on the safety conditions of the plant. There is no overheating problem, because of the six existing reactors, only two are working, the 5 and the 6. The others have been shut down for months and there is no risk of melting, the core is quite cold. Then, the IAEA will check the level of radioactivity, will try to understand why the information that the reactor has to send to Vienna, in recent months has often arrived with hours of delay. Finally, it will be clarified whether the Ukrainian staff work with the right level of serenity, a fundamental condition. I read, among other things, that the Russians would bring their technicians, in case of mutiny by the Ukrainians. Many ask that Aiea staff remain there permanently. But I doubt that they can keep operators in Zaporizhzhia who would risk their lives under the bombs ».
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