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The problem France has is that most of its nuclear power plants are not built along the coast but along rivers. Since the plants discharge warmer water into tho
by mytailorisrich 4y ago
The problem France has is that most of its nuclear power plants are not built along the coast but along rivers. Since the plants discharge warmer water into those rivers, which may have an environmental impact there are strict legal limits on how much water may be warmed.
Previously, and in a 'normal' year this was all fine but during recent heatwaves rivers' water was already very warm so that legal limits were exceeded and consequently power plants have to shut.
- hef19898 4y agoLack of cooling water was an issue in the last couple of years already. Especially for plants along the Rhine and not just nuclear power plants. Not that costal power plants have a huge advantage so, pretty sure there limits on the eater temp fed back into the sea as well. Either way, the location of those plants cannot be changed anymore.
- shiftpgdn 4y agoCan they build bigger cooling ponds? The South Texas Nuclear Generating Station is on the Colorado river in an area where ambient temps are 90-100F daily year around but it has an absolutely massive cooling pond.