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Why smaller is better when it comes to nuclear power

Physics World

Mention “nuclear power” and attention almost immediately turns to safety. Despite huge advances in nuclear technology in recent decades, everyone still thinks about the accidents that occurred at older reactors like Chernobyl , Three Mile Island or Fukushima. Dozens of countries don’t even have – or don’t want – nuclear power.

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Five Things the “Nuclear Bros” Don’t Want You to Know About Small Modular Reactors

Union of Concerned Scientists

Even casual followers of energy and climate issues have probably heard about the alleged wonders of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). SMRs are distinct from today’s conventional nuclear plants, which are typically around 1,000 megawatts and were largely custom-built. What are SMRs?

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Feature- Remembering March 28, 1979 At The Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant - The Accident No One Thought Would Happen

PA Environment Daily

Forty-five years ago on March 28, 1979, Pennsylvanians woke up to a much different world -- the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Dauphin County. Unit 1 at Three Mile Island continued to operate until it was shut down in September, 2019 as a result of competition with natural gas-fired electric generation.

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Can the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Avoid a Major Disaster?

Union of Concerned Scientists

As the possibility of an all-out military conflict engulfing the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine becomes even more likely, the situation there is growing increasingly dire. A station blackout, where all alternating-current (AC) electrical power is lost, is one of the most severe events that could affect a light-water reactor.

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Three Reasons Why Spring is a Great Time for Renewable Energy

Union of Concerned Scientists

And I love hearing about new renewable electricity records as spring unfolds. That same month, New England recorded its lowest demand ever for electricity from the regional grid, which the grid operator attributed to record rooftop solar production. Spring tends to be a time when there is lower electricity demand.

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Feature- Remembering March 28, 1979 At The Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant - The Accident No One Thought Would Happen

PA Environment Daily

Forty-three years ago on March 28, 1979, Pennsylvanians woke up to a much different world -- the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Dauphin County. Unit 1 at Three Mile Island continued to operate until it was shut down in September, 2019 as a result of competition with natural gas-fired electric generation.

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September Is Here. That Means Another Nail-Biter for California’s Grid.

Union of Concerned Scientists

For California power grid experts, September is a nerve-wracking month, still very much part of danger season on the West Coast. At any point in the summer, extreme heat could trigger electricity supply shortages and rotating power outages. But September is the month when this type of power outage is most likely in California.