Beznau or never
-
The control room. A replica was built in 2007 to be used for safety exercises and error simulation tests. Thomas Kern -
Construction work began on an artificial island in the River Aare at Döttingen in the autumn of 1965. The first Swiss nuclear power plant became operational on December 24, 1969. Thomas Kern -
Staff carrying out maintenance work above the reactor pool. Thomas Kern -
A close-up of the control panel and indicator lights in the command centre of the nuclear power station. Thomas Kern -
Video images of the reactor pool are transmitted to the control room. Thomas Kern -
Protective clothing is mandatory in order to be clearly visible once inside the reactor zone. Visitors wear orange. Thomas Kern -
Rubber gloves for additonal protection and marking tape for areas with potentially higher radioactivity in the reactor zone. Thomas Kern -
Changing rooms and the security zone outside the reactor. Thomas Kern -
Looking back at the security checkpoint from the reactor area. Thomas Kern -
The reactor core is visible inside the open pressure vessel (left). A waiting booth for personnel in the event of an incident. Thomas Kern -
There is extra protection inside a cupboard in the event of an incident in the reactor zone. Thomas Kern -
Maintenance work near the turbines. Thomas Kern -
The fuel rods are stored in a water pool while maintenance work is underway. Thomas Kern -
The display indicates the performance, quality and amount left of the fuel rods. Thomas Kern -
In the command centre of the nuclear power station. Thomas Kern -
The red button for an emergency switch-off. Operations come to a halt within seconds. Thomas Kern
A visit to Beznau 1, Switzerland's first nuclear power plant and the world's oldest pressurised water reactor still in service.
This content was published on January 24, 2011 - 10:07
- Deutsch Zu Besuch im AKW
- Español En el núcleo de una central atómica
- Português Visita de uma central nuclear
- 中文 核电厂参观记
- Français Visite d'une centrale nucléaire
- عربي جولة داخل أول محطة للطاقة النووية في سويسرا
- Pусский В гостях у атомной станции
- 日本語 原子力発電所を訪問
- Italiano Centrale nucleare di Beznau
Every year the plant is subject to a thorough overhaul. The Axpo company wants to keep Beznau 1 running until at least 2023 and to take it off the grid once Beznau 3 is operational. (Pictures: Thomas Kern, swissinfo.ch)
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.