[chelical]

Capacity factor is generally better for nuclear than any other energy source.

> British wind often generates less power than it can, but it very rarely drops to zero.

Sorry, I didn't realize French nuclear reactors weren't generating any energy at the moment.

[bryanlarsen]

Over half of French reactors are down. https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/07/28/frances-nuclear-...

[phtrivier]

Let's note that part of them are down now for planned maintenance that had to be delayed because of the pandemic. Hopefully, this is not going to be a recurring event.

Water temperature is also a problem, but, again, is something that is going to resolve itself "at some point".

Finally, others are closed for potentially recurring corrosion issues, and _that_ is the really problematic stuff since most of our reactors were built around the same time.

I don't exactly understand why everyone is tiptoing around the fact that we're going to have electricity shutdowns this winter in Europe, when the gas that's supposed to full peaked plants is going to be missing.

Sadly there is not much we can do to prevent it, at the moment, and at least a good old blackout and a few shortages at gas stations might make some people take energy issues seriously.

[landemva]

> Sadly there is not much we can do to prevent it ...

The people could demand a resolution to the politician's issues which are holding five turbines in Montreal that could be installed in a pipeline which supplies gas to parts of Europe. It is almost like some political segments don't want a resolution before winter.

Edit: I had read one was returned, five being repaired, and Germany restarting ten coal plants. https://globalnews.ca/news/9002839/canada-turbines-return-ru...

[bryanlarsen]

Those turbines were sent back to Germany a couple of weeks ago.

It is almost like the news is more interested in reporting on ongoing problems than solved ones.

[phtrivier]

At some point, "Breaking news : everything is pretty much ok" is going to be a thing.

[phtrivier]

I'm ready to bet that when all the turbines are back (some already are), if the geopolitical situation is still as complicated, Russia will find another good reason to limit the amount of gas sent to western Europe.

I think the Kremlin is expecting the German electorate to push pressure on their government to ask for a return to the "normal" flow of gas, Ukraine be damned.

That seems like a reasonable bet, but I'm not going to rule surprises out any more.