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Re:A first for Canada: New type of nuclear plant opening by ... by ben_w on Tuesday May 03, 2022 @04:39AM (#31246051)
I keep hearing they need to be switched off at short notice because… I’m not sure, accidents? I’ve never actually seen a link backing this claim, and I’d be interested.
Re:A first for Canada: New type of nuclear plant opening by ... by Kliment on Tuesday May 03, 2022 @05:01AM (#31246190)
Nuclear plants need to be switched off for weeks/months at a time for the following reasons:

- refueling (regularly done, highly plannable)

- insufficient cooling water/ too warm cooling water (regular, seasonal, not very predictable short-term)

- planned maintenance (often combined with refueling)

- unplanned maintenance (accidents)

Whenever these things happen, the entire reactor is producing no power. This is why most nuclear facilities have multiple reactors, so you can rotate these tasks among them and still have some power. Unfortunately, the cooling issue is becoming more and more of a problem, and many sites that used to operate year-round now have to scale down significantly in mid-summer due to lack of cooling water.

Re:A first for Canada: New type of nuclear plant opening by ... by mathiasgredal on Tuesday May 03, 2022 @09:18AM (#31247904)
Why don't coal and gas power plants also have cooling issues?
Re:A first for Canada: New type of nuclear plant opening by ... by hpkuarg on Tuesday May 03, 2022 @10:13AM (#31248546)
You can just turn them off. No combustion, no heat. I'm not an expert, but I'm given to understand nuclear reactions don't stop on a dime like that.