Nuclear Power Plants Are Floating on Water…Wait What?

Both Russia and China are developing floating nuclear reactors. Although critics have dubbed it "Chernobyl on ice," it might have many benefits.

Floating nuclear power plants are self-contained, low-capacity nuclear power reactors that are mass produced at shipbuilding facilities. They can be towed to ports or power towns that are experiencing power deficiencies.

Russia is building a fleet of floating nuclear plants and China is reportedly starting to build a floating nuclear power station set to be seaworthy by 2021 to provide power for its artificial islands

Nuclear power is one option to free humanity from our dependence on fossil fuels for energy.

Unlike oil, coal, or gas, generating nuclear power emits no carbon dioxide, though it does create radioactive waste, some of which has to be stored securely for thousands of years.

And unlike wind energy or solar energy, it can produce energy on demand. So a few countries are aggressively pursuing nuclear power, and some have even designed ships with reactors to serve as mobile power plants.

So is this idea ingenious or a disaster waiting to happen? Learn more on this episode of Elements.

#NuclearPower #Energy #PowerPlant #Science #Seeker #Elements

How This Rare Natural Fission Reactor Could Solve Our Nuclear Waste Problem

Read More:
World's first floating nuclear barge to power Russia's Arctic oil drive
"Built in Saint Petersburg, the Akademik Lomonosov is currently moored in Murmansk where it is being loaded with nuclear fuel before heading to eastern Siberia."

China Is Building up to 20 Floating Nuclear Power Plants
"Floating nuclear reactors sound perilous, but the China National Nuclear Corp plans to develop them as a cheaper alternative to transmitting power from mainland China."

Chernobyl disaster
"Chernobyl disaster, accident in 1986 at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in the Soviet Union, the worst disaster in the history of nuclear power generation."

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[dojokonojo]

At least Comrade Dyatlov will have his water pumps!

[justinlibby-perry]

As a former Naval Nuclear Technician, onboard a Los Angeles class submarine, this is something we've been doing since the 60's. With reactors being run by kids, with no more than a high school diploma, without incident, for over 50 years. Nuclear powered ships, capable or producing their own power, isn't even a remotely new thing...
Currently the U.S. has 72 nuclear powered submarines, and 10 nuclear powered aircraft carriers in service. That's 82 nuclear powered vessels already out on the water...
"Is this a good idea..." well, we certainly seem to think so.

[stephenwoo]

Radioactive symbol /= biohazard symbol

[kmarvel]

What people don't realize is that if a nuclear reactor failed, it may have devastating consequences, but fossil fuel kills millions yearly even when they operate normally, with horrible long term effects.

All the major disasters (only 3 comes to mind, Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima: only 3 in 50 years, must be some kind of record) involves designs that were made 1960's.
We need to build a series of mini reactors that don't take a decade to complete, with billion of dollars overrun so we can take advantage of the Learning Curve.

The US have nuclear submarines that can run for decades without blowing up.

[SuicideBunny]

1:10 'Chernobyl on ice' sounds like a Disney musical on an ice skating track lol

[suspiciousafternoon]

Russia : Power plants floating on Water


*Anatoly Dyatlov* : _Wait that's illegal_

[hekkenschutz]

Ok?

Alright?

Maybe I'm completely mistaken but aren't there nuclear powered submarines and ships right now loaded with weapons?

If so... what's wrong with a bigger reactor?

[AngryKittens]

Russia and China: building reactors on ships
The US: let's invade Iran for clean coal!

[fluffyfloof]

You seem to have a new intern for selecting stock footage. Or is it a new audience engagement strategy? Biohazard signs on barrels don't convey a narrative about radiation well. Also the New Safe Confinement is not a heavy concrete structure.

[widget]

"So, when are we ending this whole 'fossil fuel' thing again?"


"When it ends. Okay?"

[r]

Fun fact: we’ve been putting Nuclear Reactors in ships and boats since the 1950s. Think submarines and Russian ice breakers. What’s new???

[doodskie]

Us: has hundreds of nuclear powered ships, no one bats an eye
Russia: builds a nuclear offgrid power barge
Us: wait that's illegal

[dmitrukmark]

I might be wrong, bus as far as it goes, Russia uses this floating reactor for the uses of powering and providing heat at the remote port town of Pevek. And I believe they don't extract fossil fuels in that region but rather a rare-earth elements in an open mines nearby.

[PAVANZYL]

If Fukushima was built on a floating platform nobody would have known about it. BTW, the US navy has lost two nuclear powered submarines, the Scorpion, and the Thresher. They are still down there. Ask Forest Gump, shit happens.

[Diaz]

Tony stark: I have a nuclear reactor in my chest

Me: interesting...wait what?

[_..Max.._]

Maybe the authors did not know that in the United States there were also accidents at nuclear power plants. And Russia is the world's leader in the construction of nuclear power plants and the production of nuclear materials. And in addition to icebreakers, Russia has a bunch of other ships and submarines with nuclear reactors. But nooo. The authors do not bother your head with this knowledge ...

[davidsi]

Russian floating nuclear ship is a massive achievement to humanity and we should learn from them. If the war bent leaders in America stops putting down Russia for one second and learn from them, we would be making great progress towards reducing coal use! Russia is the leader and we should take note! 😳😳😳

[nickhahn]

The largest US navy ships have two 300mw reactors. Depending on who you ask, 600mw is enough for roughly 600, 000 people.
Again, it depends on who you ask as to how many homes a megawatt powers, and I understand why. There are tons of variables.

Furthermore, Russia used nuclear submarines to power cities after the fall of the soviet union...check it out for yourself!

[Droidman]

Fun Fact: Every 60 seconds in Africa a minute passes.

[adamrfu]

YES YOU GOT THE POINT...
3.07 - Fears about floating nuclear power plant are OVERBLOWN