Nuclear power plant in France halted due to jellyfish invasion
Jellyfish Shutdown at France's Gravelines Nuclear Plant
A temporary shutdown of four units at the Gravelines nuclear plant in northern France occurred on Monday due to a massive swarm of jellyfish[1]. The plant, operated by EDF, is Western Europe's largest nuclear power facility, with a total capacity of 5,400 megawatts[2].
The site was fully shut down following the incident, as two other units were already offline for maintenance[3]. The shutdown was due to jellyfish clogging pumps used to cool the reactors[4]. Despite this, the energy group assured that the automatic shutdown had no impact on the safety of the facilities, personnel, or the environment[5].
Jellyfish shutdowns at nuclear power plants are relatively rare but have occurred in several instances globally[6]. Historical incidents in Sweden, Japan, and Scotland demonstrate a recurring pattern of marine life disruptions affecting coastal energy infrastructure[7].
Several factors contribute to the occurrence of jellyfish invasions that can impact nuclear power plants. Climate change, invasive species, global species transport, and environmental conditions are key contributors[8]. Warming oceans, disrupted marine ecosystems, the introduction of non-native species, and changes in ocean currents can facilitate the formation of jellyfish blooms[9].
Experts attribute the increase in jellyfish populations to factors like overfishing, plastic pollution, and climate change[10]. The Gravelines plant operator expects the affected units to restart on Thursday[5]. Two next-generation reactors, each with a capacity of 1,600 megawatts, are scheduled to open at Gravelines by 2040[2].
Inspections are being carried out to ensure the restart of the production units at Gravelines in complete safety. Meanwhile, other energy sources, including solar power, are operational to prevent a power shortage[11]. Despite the temporary shutdown, the Gravelines nuclear plant continues to play a crucial role in France's energy production.
References:
- EDF Energy Group
- World Nuclear Association
- Reuters
- BBC News
- Nuclear Energy Institute
- The Guardian
- The Japan Times
- ScienceDirect
- National Geographic
- The Conversation
- Euractiv
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