Why do nuclear power plants need water?

In addition to cooling the steam, nuclear power plants also use water in a way that no other plant does: to keep the reactor core and used fuel rods cool. To avoid potentially catastrophic failure, these systems need to be kept running at all times, even when the plant is closed for refueling.[5]. read more

Nuclear power plants generate one fifth of the electricity produced in the United States. The nuclear power cycle uses water in three major ways: extracting and processing uranium fuel, producing electricity, and controlling wastes and risks. Table 1 shows water use in selected nuclear power activities. read more

Fundamentally, nuclear power plants need water because they are big heat engines. In this respect, nuclear power plants work the same as coal-fired and gas-fired plants. They all function by producing enormous amounts of heat, which is then used to generate electricity. read more

Not only nuclear power plants need cooling-water for that matter. Also “classic” power plants (using gas, coal or fuel oil as heat source) need it and are therefore situated near rivers or canals. read more