Nuclear engineering faculty investigating the effects of climate change on nuclear plants
Dr. Karen Vierow and Dr. Pavel Tsvetkov, faculty members in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University, are investigating the effects of climate changes on Entergy Nuclear’s fleet of existing and future nuclear power plants.
As the nuclear industry looks to extend nuclear power plant lifetimes up to 80 years, the heat rejection mechanism must be investigated to assure long-term high-energy conversion efficiencies. Depending on the particular geographic location, some nuclear power plants use cooling towers; others have artificial cooling ponds or take advantage of natural aquatic systems.
All of these heat rejection approaches can be affected by changes in climate conditions that may occur over decades. As a result, irrespective of the cause of climate change, accommodation of ongoing and anticipated climate change is important for both existing nuclear power plants seeking life extensions to 80 years and for future nuclear power plants.
In close collaboration with Entergy staff, and with financial support from Entergy Nuclear, Vierow and Tsvetkov will assess the effects of environmental changes due to climate change on long-term nuclear power plant operations and management.
