Is it time we went nuclear?

[Mikkel]

That wikipedia article refers to Ohakuri. I worked in Ohakuri as an operator from 1979 to 1982 and controlled it as a North Island System Controller from 1986 to 1992. While operating there I wrote the training manuals and standing safety procedures, so I think I know the plant quite well. The cooling water is taken directly off the machine penstocks. Each offtake has a capacity of 100 l/s, giving a combined offtake of 400 l/s or 0.4 cumecs.

A 1000 MW nuclear station has a cooling water requirement of 25 cumecs, so Ohakuri is short by 98.4%.

Ohakuri was commissioned in 1961, but it is a 1953 design. When did the worlds first commercial Nuclear Power station begin operating? June 27th 1954. So New Zealand must have been world leaders.

Sounds like you should consider adding a bit to that wiki page

Anyway, it would be very weird to prepare a hydro plant for nuclear expansion! Could make some sort of sense for a thermal though.

You sure you got the right one Swoop?

[Swoop]

That wikipedia article refers to Ohakuri. I worked in Ohakuri as an operator from 1979 to 1982 and controlled it as a North Island System Controller from 1986 to 1992.

I was informed "downstream from Taupo" and "has all of the plumbing".

[Jantar]

New Zealand's Ministry of Energy did start investigating a nuclear option for New Zealand in the mid to late 1970s, and concluded that Kaipara would be an ideal location. The only large powers stations in New Zealand designed during and after this investigation were Clyde, Rangipo and Huntly. Of these Huntly is the closest in meeting the requirements, and co-incidentally it was designed as a 1000 MW thermal station, so does have the cooling water capability, but not the actual plumbing. Unfortunately, the Waikato river gets too hot during summer, so even now Huntly can't run to capacity this time of year.

[Skyryder]

http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov/factsheets/doeymp0010.shtml

Skyryder

[steveb64]

The urban rumour that I'd heard (years ago) reckoned the geothermal plant at Wairaki was setup to run nuke if needed - but looking at the construction dates (1958 startup) definitely makes it a myth! Oh well - another bubble popped.

[Skyryder]

The urban rumour that I'd heard (years ago) reckoned the geothermal plant at Wairaki was setup to run nuke if needed - but looking at the construction dates (1958 startup) definitely makes it a myth! Oh well - another bubble popped.

I worked on the drilling rigs on this. Never heard any talk of nuke energy.

Skyryder