But I thought nuclear was supposed to be 100% reliable baseload that wasn’t affected by seasons in any way /s
I don’t mean to be negative about nuclear power, I just feel that in recent years in online discussions nuclear power has become this mythological source of power. We’re discussing all the challenges and issue with renewables in such detail. But the discussion of nuclear is so surface level, focusing mainly on public fear and regulations.
We are talking about 1-2% of annual production during strong heatwaves and 0.3% of the annual production since 2000 in average until now.
Also its only specific to some reactors that are on the rivers, the ones that are next to the sea doesn't have this limitation.
Meanwhile heat on solar panels can reduce their efficiency by several percents per °C added. And heat also affect wind turbine (less wind) by several percents as well when the T° is going up.
Annnddd there's exactly the same limitations for all the other plants (coal and gas) that are built next to a river.
So yes the plants will have to limit their power more and more in the future due to global warming and water limitation (if they are on rivers), but it was already anticipated and doesn't have that big of a impact for now.
pvtmert|8 months ago
Essentially, everything boils down to (pun-intended): Heat + Water = Steam + Turbine.
Still, waiting for the day when we will get rid of the rotating elements, directly using charged or magnetic fields, harnessing the energy...
audunw|8 months ago
I don’t mean to be negative about nuclear power, I just feel that in recent years in online discussions nuclear power has become this mythological source of power. We’re discussing all the challenges and issue with renewables in such detail. But the discussion of nuclear is so surface level, focusing mainly on public fear and regulations.
edhelas|8 months ago
Also its only specific to some reactors that are on the rivers, the ones that are next to the sea doesn't have this limitation.
Meanwhile heat on solar panels can reduce their efficiency by several percents per °C added. And heat also affect wind turbine (less wind) by several percents as well when the T° is going up.
Annnddd there's exactly the same limitations for all the other plants (coal and gas) that are built next to a river.
So yes the plants will have to limit their power more and more in the future due to global warming and water limitation (if they are on rivers), but it was already anticipated and doesn't have that big of a impact for now.
hshdhdhj4444|8 months ago
This isn’t new. When nuclear was more cost effective than solar/wind they turned the “environmental” lobby against nuclear.
Now that wind/solar is more cost effective they’re turning the nuclear crowd against solar/wind.