Europe's heat wave pushes grids into a 'triple squeeze' as rivers run too hot for power

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Europe's dangerous early-summer heat wave is highlighting more than unusually high temperatures. It is exposing a growing weakness in the region's power system: as temperatures climb, the grid faces rising demand while some of the infrastructure it depends on becomes less reliable.

That risk became especially visible in southern France, where a nuclear reactor had to be shut down after the river water used to cool it grew too warm, according to Technology Review.

Record temperatures across Europe are disrupting normal life, increasing health risks, and straining electricity networks.

In London, the heat was so intense that it forced the cancellation of a Climate Action Week event devoted to heat.

Utilities and grid operators are being pushed to revisit basic planning decisions, including when power plants are taken offline for maintenance, how much reserve capacity is needed during summer, and how to prepare for rising cooling demand.

Meeting that challenge will likely require adding an electricity supply quickly, while also strengthening transmission so power can be moved to the areas that need it most during regional heat waves.

Closer cross-border coordination will also matter, since countries often rely on one another when demand spikes.

Nuclear power plant Saint-Alban, along the Rhône. Source: Wikipedia