Source: Fortune
Summary
Electricite de France SA (EDF) has shut down three units at its Gravelines nuclear power plant and reduced output at a fourth due to a “massive influx” of jellyfish, curbing power supply during a heat wave. The shutdown has taken 3.2 gigawatts of capacity offline, with temperatures forecast to reach 40C in some areas. The jellyfish have clogged up the plant’s cooling systems, which draw in seawater. Two reactors are expected to come back online by Wednesday night, while the other two may stay offline until the end of the week.
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The numbers tell one story. EDF’s Gravelines nuclear power plant has been hit by a jellyfish invasion, forcing a shutdown and reducing power supply. The plant’s cooling systems, which use seawater, have been clogged by the jellyfish. This is not the first time the plant has faced this problem, as it experienced similar issues last year. The shutdown comes at a time when Europe is experiencing its fifth heat wave, putting a strain on power supplies.
The jellyfish have become an unexpected challenge for EDF, highlighting the impact of climate change on nuclear power plants. As temperatures rise, the risk of jellyfish blooms increases, posing a threat to power supplies.
Author: Evan Null
