Google Data Centers Bring Nuclear Power Back to Tornado-Prone Iowa
‘s plans to reopen the Duane Arnold nuclear plant in Iowa have raised concerns about the safety of the reactor in the face of extreme weather events.
The plant was shut down in 2020 after a derecho storm caused widespread damage and knocked out the power lines. However, with Google’s agreement to help cover recommissioning costs and purchase the bulk of the plant’s energy output, the plant is set to reopen in 2029.
Nuclear Power in Tornado Country
The Duane Arnold Energy Center in Palo, Iowa, has been dormant since the 2020 storm. However, with Google’s plans to expand its data center operations in the state, the plant is set to return to operation. Meanwhile, the threat of extreme storms to nuclear power in Iowa is likely to grow, with the warming of the Gulf of Mexico driving more moisture northward into the state’s atmosphere.
Enhanced Resilience
Operators say that improvements to the original plant design, including additional backup diesel generators and cooling towers with greater wind resistance, will enhance its resilience to future severe weather events. In addition, the plant’s critical nuclear components suffered no damage during the 2020 derecho, and the reactor core remained safe throughout the entire event.
Weather-Related Risks
However, the NRC analysis following the incident noted damage to both safety- and non-safety-related structures, including the collapsed cooling towers and the damaged reactor and turbine buildings. Consequently, the risk of a station blackout during a severe weather event remains a concern, although operators say that the plant is designed to withstand such events safely.
Expert Insights
Adam Stein, director of the Nuclear Energy Innovation program at the Breakthrough Institute, notes that the Duane Arnold event was not significantly dangerous to the public, despite being one of the most significant safety events in US nuclear history. Therefore, the robustness of these plants is a testament to their ability to withstand extreme weather events.
Conclusion
The reopening of the Duane Arnold nuclear plant in Iowa has raised concerns about the safety of the reactor in the face of extreme weather events. However, with enhanced resilience measures in place and a robust design, the plant is set to return to operation, providing clean and safe energy to the regional grid.
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