Posted on 08/03/2026 10:51:18 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Romania blew up a rock outcrop on Aug 3 to help redirect vital cooling water from the drought-hit Danube river to its sole working nuclear reactor, an unprecedented measure underlining the scale of an energy crunch across the region.
In neighbouring Hungary, authorities said they might be able to eke out two more days of power from their only atomic plant, which has been hit by falling levels in the Danube that it also relies on as a coolant.
Heat and drought have lowered river levels across large parts of Europe, raising concerns about water supplies, river transport and power generation.
Car plants pause production to ease pressure
Both governments have asked people and companies to cut power use to ease demand. Car-making plants run in Romania by Renault-owned Dacia and Ford had agreed to halt production until Aug 19, voluntarily reducing power consumption by some 200 MW, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said.
Romanian state-owned nuclear power producer Nuclearelectrica, which normally generates a fifth of the country’s electricity needs, had to shut down one of its two reactors early last week as river levels fell.
(Excerpt) Read more at straitstimes.com ...
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Jim
It sounds hugh and series.
China doesn’t have any power concerns and they are using plenty of coal.
By mid August to mid Sept. The Hoover Dam will be basically shut down.
This week the level will hit record lows behind the dam.
They have 5 low head pressure turbines that can run at low levels except, one is down leaving 4. The priduction out of that dam will be at between ten to 20 percent of capacity.
The Glen Canyon Dam is said to have reduced its capacity.
They are trying to keep the level above 1035 at Hoover Dam but, at 1038 the cavitation problems will become extreme.
Every single Turbine at that dam most likely has cavitation damage. Run those things allowing cavitation and they’ll self destruct.
Right now, the level is at 1040.96 and dropping fast. Then, Delta Flow is increasing bringing in silt that already is at around 106 ft behind Hoover.
So, the power will have to be supplied from outside grid causing extreme stress on the already stressed system.
Some reports are that the line sag is at critical levels.
Phoenix, LA, Las Vegas..the entire region will be short of power at peak times.
China also has 64 operating nuclear power plants and another 30 or so planned which will give them more than the US.
The Blew Danube is one of my favorite waltzes.
Not the Tennessee Waltz?
“One of my favorites”
I like the melody of the Tennessee Waltz, but the words are horrible.
“My friend stole my loved one from me”
That ain’t right.
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