Russia bets on floating nuclear power plant to bring power to remote regions
Nuclear energy has always been the subject of many controversies over the last few decades. However, nothing compares to floating nuclear power plants, where they move and walk around Rivers and small towns that are difficult to reach on giant ships.
The so-called Floating Nuclear Reactors are gaining prominence in Russia and in some northern European countries. The interest in this technology is high because they see it as fundamental for the development of remote regions.
With climate change, Arctic glaciers are melting, exposing natural resource riches that have never been seen before. However, to exploit this wealth it is necessary to build an infrastructure in these remote locations. Because of this problem, floating nuclear power plants gain strength for power generation in these regions.
After all, how is a floating nuclear reactor made?
Building a floating nuclear power plant is complex, as it demands much more work and safety mechanisms than a conventional plant built on land. Today, there are already equipment in the Arctic with nuclear reactors, such as icebreakers and submarines.
However, the big challenge is to make the reactor the main point of the ship. In addition, it is very important to protect the nuclear reactor from extreme temperatures, as well as tsunamis that can hit the vessel. An accident involving a boat with a floating nuclear reactor would bring unimaginable consequences to the environment technology.
In 2018, Russia launched its floating nuclear power plant, the Akdemik Lomonosov. This project has a form of pressurized water reactor, generating water heated at high pressure. The equipment transfers the thermal energy to another low pressure system.
Another big problem is the question of radioactive waste, being found as a form of radioactive liquid. The pressurized water reactor, in the event of an accident, can release radioactive material into the atmosphere.
Why invest in a nuclear power plant on a ship
Building a nuclear power plant is already a very difficult and expensive task, now a floating nuclear power plant is even more work. The main objective of such a project is to supply energy to industries and very remote locations.
Akademik Lomosov, for example, was built to supply northern Russia. These isolated communities will be able to develop with the presence of this ship in the region.
