Hunterston B nuclear power station facts for kids
Hunterston B Power Station is a big power station in Scotland. It uses nuclear energy to make electricity. You can find it in North Ayrshire, which is a part of Scotland. It's located right on the coast of the Firth of Clyde.
This power station is about 6 miles (9 km) south of a town called Largs. It's also about 2.5 miles (4 km) northwest of West Kilbride. Hunterston B has been making electricity since 1976. A company called EDF Energy runs it. It can make up to 1000 megawatts (MW) of power. That's enough electricity for many homes! Hunterston B is planned to keep working until the year 2023.
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What is Hunterston B?
Hunterston B is a type of power station that uses nuclear fission to create heat. This heat then boils water to make steam. The steam spins large machines called turbines, which are connected to generators. These generators then produce electricity. It's a way to make a lot of power without burning fossil fuels like coal or gas.
How Hunterston B Works
Hunterston B uses a special type of nuclear reactor called an Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR). These reactors use graphite to slow down neutrons. This helps to control the nuclear chain reaction. The heat from the reaction is carried away by carbon dioxide gas. This hot gas then heats water to make steam.
Similar Power Stations
Hunterston B is very similar to another power station in England called Hinkley Point B. Both power stations were built with a similar design. They are also both expected to stop making electricity around the same time, in 2023. This is because they have reached the end of their planned operational life.
Images for kids
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Hunterston B in 2018
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See also
In Spanish: Central nuclear Hunterston B para niños
