ABSTRACT
M. Krauß Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (BfS), Salzgitter, Germany
ABSTRACT: Considering the inevitableness of climate change, the question arises, whether the impact of harsh weather conditions should be analyzed in detail as part of the probabilistic safety assessments for nuclear power plants in Germany. To answer this question, the international operating experience with respect to such impacts has been analyzed. In addition, information on the expected development of the meteorological conditions in Central Europe has been collected. Our analysis shows that (i) typical impacts due to harsh weather conditions are disturbances of the electrical and I& C equipment as well as adverse effects on the service water system and (ii) that regional-scale climate projections for Central Europe indicate only moderate changes within the next decades. Based on these findings, the conclusion can be drawn, that a full scope probabilistic safety assessment for harsh weather conditions is not necessary at present.
