Heat Wave Shuts Down Alabama Reactor

mdsolar writes "In a first for the US, one of three nuclear reactors at the Browns Ferry nuclear plant in Alabama has been shut down because the Tennessee River is too hot to provide adequate cooling for the waste heat produced by the reactor. This is happening as the TVA faces its highest demand for power ever, reports the Houston Chronicle. This effect has been seen in Europe in the past, forcing reduced generation, but the US has until now been immune to the problem. The TVA will buy power elsewhere and impose higher rates, blaming reduced river flow as a result of drought."

Comments

Re:Some people sell their "waste" heat

[fabu10u$]

Some people sell their "waste" heat
To heat domestic water, space heating and even to power adsorption chillers which can reduce AC requirements.

Try selling the US public on steam heat from a nuke. Yes, the coolant loop neither touches the core nor picks up radioactive ions, but see if you can get the unwashed masses to believe they'll be safe with it!