New
Scientist: This year at least four nuclear power plants in
the US were forced to close because of an extended heat wave
and drought. Power plants depend on water for cooling, but
hotter air causes more water to evaporate. When water levels
are low, or the water becomes too warm, the plants can't
operate efficiently. Nuclear plants are particularly vulnerable
because they require a lot of water to cool their turbines, but
coal and natural gas plants can be affected too. Other energy
production methods are also feeling the heat; biofuels are made
with corn, but this year's harvests are expected to be only 75%
of normal yields. Although the US should be able to meet its
energy demands this year, according to the North American
Energy Reliability Corp, ever-warming temperatures and a
growing population are going to continue to be a problem.
