- After shutdown: block of Swiss old-line battery back on line
Following a rapid shutdown at the Swiss nuclear power plant Beznau near the German border, the affected Block 1 has returned to the grid. Experts repaired the fault that triggered the shutdown, as reported by energy company Axpo. The issue was a defect in a valve in the non-nuclear part of the old plant. Beznau is the world's oldest still-operating nuclear power plant.
Steam was visible above the plant at times on Monday, but there was no risk to people or the environment. Block 1 was automatically disconnected from the grid, the operator had stated. The nuclear power plant is located south of Waldshut-Tiengen in Baden-Württemberg and is less than seven kilometers from the German border.
German side informed
As reported by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment on request, the German side was informed about the rapid shutdown on Monday afternoon. Neither the shutdown nor the restart posed any particular risk. "However, the operation of a nuclear power plant is always associated with a high risk. The risk is higher for older nuclear power plants," explained a spokesperson for the ministry.
Transnet BW, the operator of the long-distance grid, reported on request that the rapid shutdown did not cause any abnormalities in the European grid. The shutdown had no impact on grid stability and power supply in Baden-Württemberg.
Despite the incident at Beznau's Nuclear power Block 1, the German side was assured that it posed no significant risk. The swift resolution of the defect in a non-nuclear part of the world's oldest operating nuclear power plant, Beznau, was facilitated by nuclear power technology's capability to ensure safety and minimize impacts during unexpected events.
