A warmer climate may result in lower thermal efficiency and reduced load - including shutdowns - in thermal power plants. Focusing on nuclear power plants, we use different European datasets and econometric strategies to identify these two supply-side effects. We find that a rise in temperature of 1 degree C reduces the supply of nuclear power by about 0.5% through its effect on thermal efficiency; during droughts and heat waves, the production loss may exceed 2.0% per degree Celsius because power plant cooling systems are constrained by physical laws, regulations and access to cooling water. As climate changes, one must consider measures to protect against and/or to adapt to these impacts.
Mer detaljer
- DOI: 10.5547/ISSN0195-6574-EJ-Vol32-No1-6
- År: 2011
- Tidsskrift: Energy Journal
- Språk: English
- Volum: 32
- Hefte: 1
- Side: 149 - 168
- Issn: 0195-6574
- Utgiver: International Association for Energy Economics