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submitted 1 day ago by NomNom@feddit.uk to c/europe@feddit.org
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[-] trollercoaster@sh.itjust.works 15 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

In electricity generation, it typically can't be throttled reasonably in a way that allows quick reaction to changing demand. Most reactors' power output is regulated by changing the chemistry of the coolant, which can only be done gradually, Using quicker control rods for everyday power adjustment rather than only for shutdown and startup, is avoided to avoid uneven, and therefore inefficient fuel burn. While it could be done, it would make nuclear power even more uneconomical than it already is by forcing more frequent shutdowns for fuel changes.

[-] encelado748@feddit.org 8 points 1 day ago

Nuclear load following is routinely done in France. You can see more details here: https://www.nice-future.org/docs/nicefuturelibraries/default-document-library/france.pdf

[-] plyth@feddit.org 7 points 1 day ago

Like solar, batteries can compensate for the difference between supply and demand.

[-] trollercoaster@sh.itjust.works 3 points 16 hours ago

Batteries don't scale well at all.

[-] sukhmel@programming.dev 2 points 16 hours ago

But only if connected to a nuclear power plant?

[-] trollercoaster@sh.itjust.works 1 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago)

Doesn't matter what you connect them to, they don't scale well.

They take a lot of exotic materials and energy in a complicated process to produce, have a very limited life span, don't work without highly complex controllers, and a have comparatively low energy density.

[-] msage@programming.dev 2 points 9 hours ago

No?

There are many batteries with basic materials that can do tens of thousands of cycles.

They are heavy and big, which makes them unfit for cars, but great for this use case.

this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2026
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