This is the floating nuclear power plant that generates 1,000 million kWh before refueling

This is the floating nuclear power plant that generates 1,000 million kWh before refueling

This nuclear power plant is located in the Russian Arctic zone of Chukottka.. It is called Akademic Lokomonosov and has been operational for only five years. But in this short period of time it has already achieved a historic milestone: becoming the floating nuclear power plant that generates the most power in the world. Specifically generates 1 billion kWh before refuelingas reported by the state atomic energy corporation.

This floating vessel has a length of 144 meters and a beam of 30 meters. Initially it was going to be deployed in the shipyards in the Sevmash area, but it was moved to another area to replace an old nuclear power plant that was located in Bilibino, as it was reaching the end of its useful life. What makes this floating nuclear power plant different is that It has two nuclear reactors on board for power generation. This type of reactor, the KLT-40S nuclear reactor, was created to power icebreakers.

In Lokomonosov uranium is used as fuel and in recent years it has gone from supplying 20% ​​of the population to 60% of the demand in the region and in the nerve center of Chaun-Bilibino. Furthermore, in this plant the residual heat is reused, capturing thermal energy and using it for heating, supplying all this to a population of 5,000 people and supplies energy to the mining operations in the Baimskaya mining area. It also helps desalinate up to 240,000 cubic meters of water per day.

Nuclear energy in Spain

Nuclear development in Spain It began in the Franco regime after World War II. And according to Red Eléctrica, nuclear energy in our country is the second source of electricity generation in Spain. It represents close to 21% of total production, only behind the wind energy that represents 23%.

Currently in Spain there are five active second-generation nuclear power plants and seven reactors.: Almaraz I and II, Ascó I and II, Cofrentes, trillo I and Vandellós II. But there are also other plants that still exist, although today they are not in operation or are disconnected. It is the case of Vendellós I, José Cabrera- Zorita y Garoña. In recent days, the possible closure of the Almaraz nuclear power plant has also been controversial. In this town of Cáceres, its inhabitants have demonstrated against the cessation of activity, highlighting the great employment it generates in the area.

Until February 2011, there was a moratorium that did not contemplate the construction of new plants, but a law was approved in the Senate, the Sustainable Economy Law, which allowed the extension of the useful life of the plants.

Detractors and followers of nuclear energy

Nuclear energy is one of the most controversial energy sources in society. Therefore, these are some of the debates that arise around this energy:

in favor:

  1. Countries like France, Finland or the United States are betting on this alternative
  2. Ensures the electricity supply in Spain by operating the reactors 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
  3. Renewable energies do not currently produce all the necessary electricity

against:

  1. One of them is for safety and the radioactive waste that is generated by its activity.
  2. In addition, environmental groups are against it due to the footprint left by this type of waste.
  3. It is not competitive. If we wanted to produce all the world’s electrical energy by nuclear means, we would have to build 2 plants every week for 50 years.