[KMan17]

Thanks!

[PrinceyJ]

I'd imagine it'd be something to do with the high availability of water from the ground (in case of emergency) and proximity to a river for normal operating water.

[Alice.]

(Original post by PrinceyJ)
I'd imagine it'd be something to do with the high availability of water from the ground (in case of emergency) and proximity to a river for normal operating water.

This is what I've always learnt/been told

[DynamicSyngery]

They're not, as such. There are no nuclear plants built on land that very frequently floods. What does happen is they are built along rivers/seas, as they need large amounts of water for cooling. Ordinary floods do not represent a significant danger to a nuclear plant, so it isn't an issue.

[Alex17595]

maybe because it could be quite flat as well

[swelshie]

Same reasons as a normal powerstation: to
a) have a source of water to run the steam turbines (this water is not actually used inside the turbine, just to cool the steam once it has been through it) and
b)for a nuclear power plant to cool the core once all the internal water is hot.

[Sadsnail]

They're not??

Example op

[swelshie]

(Original post by Sadsnail)
They're not??

Example op

They are, they have to put some sort of dam around it when the river does flood (if it will ever flood again). Of course building in a place which doesn't flood in the first place helps, but that's not always possible in flat countries.

[telemartnetwork]

This is true that dam is required to store water when there will be flood. So, it is must.

[Manii93]

The plutonium and uranium rods need cooling down in order to prevent overheating and therefore a nuclear meltdown being near the sea and rivers provides the cold water to circulate the fuel rod chamber..i assume

[MT95]

Water is needed as part of the nuclear process in order to cool things down and such. Also, i never noticed it being mentioned above, I would imagine the floodplain area of land is cheap to buy/rent (due to potential flooding), but a nuclear power station wouldn't be effected by this. Also, due to the floodplains physical nature i.e not suitable for settlements or facility development, it means that no one would set up next to a dangerous nuclear station ( not that they would anyway, but it would prevent potential development of anything near it )

[DazA]

They're not. They are generally built on the coast or close to a large body of water to facilitate secondary cooling and emergency cooling.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[bongbong]

bong bong bong

[clareramos]

If you want to be technical they are built on floodplains if they built near rivers, due to that they need a water supply, that's also why they are built near coasts as well.

[DazA]

(Original post by clareramos)
If you want to be technical they are built on floodplains if they built near rivers, due to that they need a water supply, that's also why they are built near coasts as well.

Proximity to a river or the sea does not automatically qualify a location as a floodplain.

[clareramos]

(Original post by DazA)
Proximity to a river or the sea does not automatically qualify a location as a floodplain.

yes, but if it is close to a river or coast, then it is likely to be on a floodplain due to the need to be close to water, and floodplains can be HUGE even in the UK.

[sarcos]

Water is needed to produce power. Water goes in and takes takes away from core, the water turns to steam as it is heated and is used to drive the turbines which is where electricity is generated.

[clareramos]

I have a fairly basic map showing all UK nuclear power stations including shut down ones, and there are some that are very obviously on floodplains as they are VERY close to rivers, well look that way.

[DazA]

I refer you to my previous answer. Trust me.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[clareramos]

I can tell you the Berkeley Nuclear Power Station was on a floodplain

Also look at Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant, Nabraska Cooper Nuclear Power Plant

So they can be built on floodplains.