Heat Wave Threatens Nuclear Power Plants

Back to Map Page July, 1999 Syracuse, New York The Fitzpatrick nuclear power plant just north of Syracuse is one of several across the country that were threatened with emergency shutdowns as a result of this summer's heat wave across the eastern half the the United States. National Public Radio reported in late July that the plant's source of cooling water was hovering near a historic high of 80 degrees this July. Just 5 degrees warmer and the plant operators would have had to shut down the reactors to prevent overheating.   This summer's long heat wave warmed intake waters for nuclear plants, reducing efficiency and approaching thresholds of operating safety. Like all thermal power plants, nuclear plants require a cool water source to condense steam in the electric generators. Warming intake waters reduce generator efficiency and reduce energy output because cool water is needed to condense steam from the generators, and warm water cannot absorb as much heat as cool water can. Many plants had electricity production reduced during the heat wave--just as air conditioning demand was peaking--because of a lack of cool intake water. Unlike other plants, nuclear reactors also require cool water to keep the reactors operating safely. A steady supply of cool water absorbs heat from the nuclear reactions in the reactor core. Syracuse's Fitzpatrick plant draws its water from Lake Ontario, whose surface water became unusually warm this summer. The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission was watching this and a number of other plants during the heat wave this summer. New Hampshire's Seabrook nuclear power plant installed chillers to keep intake water temperatures cool. With moderating temperatures in August, the problem of high water temperatures appears to have diminished for this summer. Recent years have been the warmest on record, though, and if warming trends continue the efficiency and safety of electricity supplies could become a recurrent problem. Meanwhile, plant operators have requested that rules be relaxed and that intake waters be allowed as warm as 90 degrees. Whether or not this would be safe is a question that has not yet been answered by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. To read more, see Environmental Science, A Global Concern, Cunningham and Saigo, 5th ed. Nuclear power: How do reactors work? p. 474-84 Energy consumption: p. 464-67 Environmental Science, A Study of Interrelationships, Enger and Smith, 7th ed. Nuclear reactors: p. 166-68 Energy consumption trends: p. 132-38 For further information, see these related web sites: Nuclear Regulatory Commission home page Pressurized-water Reactor Systems overview Back to Map Page feedback form | permissions | international | locate your campus rep | request a review copy digital solutions | publish with us | customer service | mhhe home Copyright ©2001 The McGraw-Hill Companies. Any use is subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of the The McGraw-Hill Companies.