Exposure of future nuclear energy infrastructure to climate change hazards: A review assessment

Abstract

This review discusses climate hazards and specific risks associated with existing and new nuclear power plants under global warming level futures, with an emphasis on water-based risks for plants that rely on traditional water-cooling processes. Projected hazards, including extreme heatwaves, sea-level rise, and altered precipitation patterns pose significant challenges to the safe and efficient operation of nuclear plants. Additional risks include reduced water-cooling system efficiency, clogging due to biological contamination of water streams, water access issues in reactors during droughts, disruptions from extreme storms, and coastal sea level rise. These findings emphasise the importance of formulating appropriate adaptation strategies that incorporate enhanced safety measures in the planning and design of new nuclear facilities. Incorporating these specific risks into mitigation scenarios and decision-making processes for nuclear energy expansion or modernisation is crucial to improve the resilience of such infrastructure in the face of a changing climate.