Cooling ponds are used in some nuclear power plants as a way to manage the heat generated during electricity production. Like fossil fuel power plants, nuclear plants produce large amounts of heat, and this heat must be removed to keep the system operating safely and efficiently. In a nuclear plant, cooling ponds serve as part of the heat rejection process by absorbing and dissipating excess thermal energy from the condenser system.
Warm water from the plant is discharged into the pond, where it cools down through evaporation and contact with cooler air before being reused or released. Some nuclear facilities also use cooling ponds to store spent fuel rods temporarily, which is a separate function from thermal cooling but involves water as a heat sink. When used for thermal cooling, the design and operation of the pond must meet strict environmental and safety standards to prevent thermal pollution and ensure the water temperature stays within regulated limits.
