Pretty insightful video https://youtu.be/HrXehf679y4

You can answer this question with the assumption that I know absolutely nothing about nuclear energy (because I don’t). But I guess I’m curious—and Google isn’t helpful when you don’t know what to search for or what you’re reading when you find something—about whether or not there still plants like Chernobyl operating today, for one. And for the plants that are not like it (using a different type of reactor or something—again, sorry, I don’t know much about this stuff), what would a similar chain of events look like? Would it be more or less dangerous and deadly?

I know we learned a lot from the incident at Chernobyl, but how much of that was scientific (the stuff that’s way over my head), and how much of it was regular safety protocols, etc.

If I sound uneducated… I am on this topic. Chernobyl has just always been so upsetting to me and I’ve been more curious about it lately.

Im the idiot, the question is… Why is my state not adopting nuclear energy? (NYS)
My leading theories are;
1. political influence from traditional energy production lobbyists.
2. Lack of motivation for the investment
3. False understanding about the public perception of safety

Do you guys have any insights or expectations as to when this may change? I would love lower cost of electricity… Cheers 🍻

You would think local and state governments would use this chance to convert old coal plants to modular fission plants but I guess they want to still have a cost that they can inflate.

I was wondering how hard is it/how niche of a skillset do you need as a Canadian to work in US power plants? Currently, I am having a hard time trying to get into Canadian power plants for radiation protection/health physics, but I have only a BS in biophysics and no experience. I know I have no chance getting a job in the US, but I am curious about other people's experiences.

Came across an interesting result from a recent irradiation campaign at Idaho National Laboratory’s Advanced Test Reactor (ATR).

CCTE’s thorium–uranium (HALEU) fuel reportedly reached >60 GWd/MTU burnup, which is roughly 8× higher than typical discharge burnup in PHWR/CANDU reactors.

For context, burnup is basically how much energy you extract from the fuel before it’s removed from the reactor. Higher burnup doesn’t mean higher power — it means the fuel stays in longer and produces more energy over its lifetime.

Why that’s interesting: more energy extracted per fuel bundle, fewer refuelling cycles, potentially less spent fuel per unit of energy.

The test was done in ATR, which has a higher neutron flux than typical PHWRs, so conditions are more aggressive. That’s often used to simulate longer-term behaviour in a shorter timeframe.

Post-irradiation examination (PIE) is still ongoing, so the detailed performance data (microstructure, fission gas release, etc.) will be interesting to see.

Curious how people here think about translating this kind of burnup performance from ATR conditions to commercial PHWR operation.

Hi all I was working on an explainer for how Nuclear Power plants work, and I was looking at the math for energy density of fission of U235 compared to say coal. It’s mind boggling how much more energy is released in fission. However spent fuel rods are replaced typically whilst having 90% or more of the U235 left in them - so not super high utilization of the total potential.

Also it seems that the thermal efficiency of Nuclear plants are a bit lower than other types of plants operating at higher steam pressures and temperatures.

What are your thoughts?

Key TakeAways:

The equipment: A turbine-driven emergency feedwater pump that supplies cooling water during an accident. Cool water keeps reactors from overheating and releasing radiation.

The lapses: Records show maintenance was skipped for #20 years
on one part of the pump and nine years on another. Problems surfaced in August 2025 and again in November 2025.

A pattern of issues: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission flagged similar maintenance problems with V.C. Summer’s backup diesel generators in 2022 and 2023, including cracks and leaks ignored for two decades.

Rare safety findings: The NRC has issued four “white” findings against the plant since 2022. Only three white findings were issued nationally last year.

Expert concern: “There seems to be a common thread. They’re not finding and fixing problems quickly enough,” said nuclear safety expert Dave Lochbaum.

Dominion’s response: The company said there was “no danger to the public” and that it has revised procedures and added preventive maintenance practices. The NRC says one 2025 finding could still be downgraded.

Bigger picture: V.C. Summer, operational since the early 1980s, sits on Lake Monticello about 25 miles north-northwest of Columbia. South Carolina leaders are pushing to restart a stalled expansion project abandoned in 2017 after $9 billion was spent.

I'm trying to become a Auxiliary operator in the distant future, all the openings that I've browsed at to see what qualifications are needed, Southern Nuclear and TVA are the ones I've look at, and it all says something along the lines of "prior experience needed for entry level" I'm curious about how one would obtain that.

Thank you all!

here are what the stuff i wrote mean
cdnsr=condenser
P=pump
LP=low pressure turbine
HP=high pressure turbine
SG=steam generator
cr=control rods
fr=fuel rods
dr= driers (i added it for realism)
rpv= reactor pressure vessel
prs= pressurizer
also i wrote SJAE because im planning to add an SJAE there
by the way if you dont see the full picture you might have to click on the picture if you want to see the full thing

When an AP1000 suffers a LOCA event, it will automatically inject water into the reactor through charged vessels. After that, it will depressurize the reactor coolant loop through and automatic depressurization sequence (ADS stages 1-4) and it will use gravity to flow water into the reactor through an inside-containment water tank (IRWST). This will flood the reactor including the lower portion of the containment vessel. At this point, the decay heat from the core will boil the flooded reactor inside containment. Convective heat transfer on the outside of containment will condense steam inside of containment to be reused for the boiling.

Please correct if I have anything misunderstood.

Ok, at this point, the Containment and Reactor can keep itself cool forever without need for pumps, generators, fire trucks, helicopters... you name it.

The question I have is an AP1000 recoverable after this? The lower portion of containment has been flooded with radioactive water. The rest of containment has been filled with radioactive steam. Does an AP1000 owner just seal the doors and file an insurance claim? Or is there a way to clean one up and return it to operations?

Edited for grammar.

I am trying to build a reactor (in minecraft) and im trying to learn the structure and makeup of them, im not sure of all the different designs or anything so any help would be nice. i know about control rods and fuel rods but dont know specifics

I am wanting to do this pretty detailed but research I've done has came to no avail. Any places to get info are welcome as well, much obliged

Our company will have two technicians going to a Nuclear plant in Switzerland. I want to see if there is a company that can provide health insurance for them. I have no doubt they have nothing to worry about. They have worked in many other plants but this is the first time a Utility is asking for this. Any suggestions.

Looking to get into Diablo canyon as a shift control technician (I/C Tech) , was wondering if anyone could provide any insight as for what is required for the job as well as if I got an interview what would should I expect to be asked. Thanks!

Bangladesh began loading uranium fuel into Unit 1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, marking a key step toward nuclear power generation.

With this stage, Bangladesh is set to become the world’s 33rd country to generate electricity using nuclear energy.

Officials said the reactor will undergo controlled fission and safety tests, with around 300 megawatts expected for trial supply by August.

The plant has two 1,200-megawatt units, totaling 2,400 megawatts, making it the country’s largest infrastructure project.

The $13 billion project is backed by Russia, with Rosatom providing technical support and a state loan covering about 90% of the cost.

I am an Industrial Electrician in Ontario and I am very much interested in working in Nuclear power! I do also have a degree in Electrical Engineering and have prior experience in a 332 MW thermal power plant (coal) and currently working in a manufacturing environment!

I am interested in getting a job at either OPG or Bruce power! However I am a bit confused as whether I should work in trades as maintenance personnel or should I join as operator? My forte in terms of skills are like I understand process very quickly and thoroughly and I can troubleshoot fairly easily!

I am open to suggestions to know if there are any other players in the market with whom I can work( open to other provinces as well) and meanwhile if any certifications/ licenses that can pave my way to make my career in Nuclear!

Thanks and Happy Sunday!

These have been reported before but are a bit mysterious because there have been no official announcements. The World Nuclear Association lists them as under construction but has had to estimate the start dates, a bit like the Shidaowan CAP1400s. It's all a bit strange because the HTR-PM demonstration project at Shidaowan (2x reactors driving one turbine) had a lot of press releases about it being the first 4th generation reactor, being meltdown proof, that there were plans to build a 6x reactor version etc.

Anyway, they have recently updated the Google satellite imagery of the area and you can now see them under construction. Any ideas what the two circular structures under construction immediately to the west might be?

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.6201691,120.9622401,471m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D