News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on The First Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Was Just Approved by US Regulators. Parent comment

Re:The First Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Was Just Approved... by natmaka on Sunday August 07, 2022 @10:00AM (#32376529)
Not sure 96 minutes will be sufficient in all load-following cases (bar a huge and therefore very expensive fleet of reactors). A gas turbine is way ahead here. Moreover in existing reactors the frequency of such adjustments is limited, for example "no more than twice a day, with a minimal 5-hours pause between modulations, and no more than 150 modulations per year". Approaching limits adds maintenance time (at shutdown state). I don't know if SMRs alleviate this, but given the causes I doubt so.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The First Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Was Just Approved... by labawi on Sunday August 07, 2022 @04:22PM (#32379530)
We will likely have sufficient battery storage where 1.5h would be acceptable though not quite ideal. It still requires quite a bit of storage, but its entirely doable for seasonal variations (the harder problem) and perhaps even daily cycles (the lesser problem).
[ Parent | on HN ]