The
unusually hot summer across much of the country has not only taken a
toll on our lawns and plants, it’s also slowly raised the temperature of
some of our lakes and rivers. Many nuclear power plants rely on lakes
or rivers for water to cool the plant. So, what is the effect of
slowly-rising water temperatures?
If
the temperature of the water used to cool the plant rises too high, a
plant may have to reduce the amount of electricity it generates.
Reducing electrical output reduces the heat generated by the plant, so
that the plant can be safely cooled even with higher-than-normal
temperatures of intake water.
The
NRC requires that intake water temperature be continuously monitored to
make sure that appropriate action is taken before any safety limits are
exceeded. This year, a few plants have had to either reduce power or
seek special NRC approval in order to temporarily operate with
higher-than-normal cooling water temperatures. Unit 2 of the
Millstone plant
in Connecticut has had to temporarily shut down because of warm water temperatures.
What
about water that is discharged from a plant after it has been used to
for cooling? If the temperature of that water is too high, it can harm
aquatic life or have other impacts on water quality. So, a plant may
need to reduce electrical output to keep the discharged water
sufficiently cool, or request special permission to exceed permissible
temperature limits, which are set by other federal and state regulators
with responsibility for water quality.
With
autumn approaching, the temperatures will fall. Even after the summer
heat passes, the NRC will continue to ensure plants closely monitor the
temperature of their cooling systems. Whatever the season, safety
remains the agency’s top priority.
Jared K. Heck
Regional Counsel
NRC Region III
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