4 ms·
It's a non-subject really. NPPs are technically very well able to function under such heatwave. Regulations limiting the upstream/downstream water temperature d
by m2fkxy 4y ago
It's a non-subject really. NPPs are technically very well able to function under such heatwave. Regulations limiting the upstream/downstream water temperature difference and the maximum stream temperature are the limiting factor.
Derogations are in place to allow NPPs bypassing these limitations. And tne allowed temperature increase is... pretty anecdotal. Typically, the max downstream temperature is increased by one (1) degree, and the up/downstream temperature difference limits stay the same, if not decreased [1].
What's sad is that the topic is waved by fear-mongering "ecologists" who are all too happy to showcase nuclear power under a seemingly bad light.
[1] https://twitter.com/TristanKamin/status/1548983324961607681 https://twitter.com/TristanKamin/status/1548983324961607681
- epistasis 4y agoBeing concerned about "is nuclear being painted in a bad light" is not the right thing to focus on here, especially in a country that supports nuclear, like France. The real question is what France will do for power. I would consider this a huge issue, especially in a warming world. Also more important than being worried about the public image of nuclear, which is quite popular in France, is figuring out if and how France can construct new nuclear in the future. Even with their supportive population and regulatory structure, their Flamanville project is facing the exact same cost and delay issues as the recent projects in the US at VC Summer and Vogtle. All this undermines the idea that public image or "ecologists" are the ones holding back nuclear power. The reality is that the industry, or technology itself, is not delivering.
- cedilla 4y agoIt's only fear-mongering if you silently presuppose that the regulations of the amount and temperature of water is arbitrary. In reality, these regulations are necessary to a) not kill the river and b) to have acceptable safety margins for the cooling. Running these reactors is technically possible - just barely - but complety reckless.
- adrianN 4y agoOne degree doesn't seem like much to you because you're a land mammal. Aquatic life is much more sensitive to temperature differences.