Most people think that nuclear energy is dangerous, but that is not necessarily the case. In fact, when compared to other forms of power generation, nuclear energy is actually one of the safest. Despite some high-profile accidents, such as the Chernobyl disaster, the safety record of nuclear power plants is generally good.
It is also worth noting that nuclear power is a low-carbon source of energy, which makes it an attractive option for countries looking to reduce their carbon emissions and combat climate change. Nuclear power plants produce no greenhouse gases during operation, unlike fossil fuel power plants that emit large amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants.
In addition to being a low-carbon source of energy, nuclear power is also reliable and efficient. Nuclear power plants can operate for long periods of time, often running for up to 18-24 months without refueling. This means that they can provide a stable source of electricity to the grid, which is important for ensuring a consistent supply of power.
It’s important to note that while nuclear energy has many benefits, it is not without its risks. Proper safety protocols and regulations must be in place to prevent accidents, and proper storage and disposal of nuclear waste is also essential. However, with proper planning and regulation, nuclear energy can be a safe and reliable source of electricity for generations to come.
Today, I will describe largest nuclear power plants in the US.
This list is based on power generation capacity in gigawatts.
Let’s begin!
Table of Contents
1. Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station
The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station is the largest nuclear power plant in the United States with a capacity of approx 4 Giga Watts. It is located in Tonopah, Arizona, in a desert region that is ideal for power generation.
The plant is owned by a consortium of companies, including Arizona Power Service, Salt River Project, El Paso Electric, South California Edison, and Public Service Co. of New Mexico, and is operated by Arizona Power Service on their behalf.
On average, the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station generates 4 Giga watts of electricity, providing power to around four million people in the US.
2. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant
The Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant is located in Athens, Alabama, and is the second-largest nuclear power plant in the United States, with a total capacity of 3.5 Giga Watts.
Operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the facility features three boiling water reactors and generates enough electricity to power over two million people across the country. The plant has a rich history and is named after a former ferry that once operated in the area.
In recent years, the plant has undergone upgrades, including the implementation of EPU units one and two, which increased its capacity by 155MW. For those interested in renewable energy, the largest wind farms in the US may also be of interest.
3. Peach Bottom Nuclear Generating Station
The Peach Bottom Nuclear Generating Station is a large nuclear power plant located in York County, Pennsylvania. It has a total capacity of 2.8 Giga Watts and is one of the largest nuclear power plants in the United States.
The power plant is equipped with two units of boiling water reactors and is operated by Exelon Generation. It is jointly owned by Exelon Generation and New Jersey’s Public Service Electric and Gas. In addition to providing electricity to millions of people, the Peach Bottom plant helps reduce carbon emissions by 19 million tons per year.
4. South Texas Project Electric Generating Station
The South Texas Project Electric Generating Station is a nuclear power plant located southwest of Bay City, Texas. This plant has a gross capacity of 2.7 GW and occupies an area of around 49 square kilometers. The STP Nuclear Operating Company operates the power plant, which uses cooling water from an off-channel reservoir.
The South Texas Project Electric Generating Station currently has two operating reactors, each with a gross capacity of 1,354 MW, and there are plans to construct two more reactors in the future. Despite emitting approximately 16 million metric tons of carbon annually, this power plant provides electricity to over two million people across the United States.
5. Oconee Nuclear Station
The Oconee Nuclear Station, located in Seneca, South Carolina, is a nuclear power plant owned and operated by Duke Energy. It has three pressurized water reactor units and a total capacity of 2.65 Giga Watts. The NRC renewed its license for another 20 years, making it the second power plant to receive such an extension. The plant serves around 2 million people and has a containment building made of a steel liner. The reactor vessels have 8-inch-thick walls and weigh 660 tons.
6. Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant
The Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant is situated in Salem Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and has a total capacity of 2.6GW, making it the second-largest nuclear power plant in the state after Peach Bottom Nuclear Station. It is operated by Susquehanna Nuclear and jointly owned by Talen Energy (90%) and Allegheny Electric Cooperative (10%). The plant comprises two boiling water reactors – Susquehanna-1 and Susquehanna-2 – which have a combined gross capacity of 1,300MW. Currently, the Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant is supplying electricity to more than two million people throughout the country.
7. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant
The Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, situated in Waynesboro, Georgia’s Burke County, is a nuclear power facility capable of producing a total of 2.43GW of electricity. The plant currently houses two pressurized water reactor (PWR) units, generating a combined 2,430MW of electricity, and an additional two reactors are presently under construction. The plant employs four mechanical drafts cooling towers, which provide cooling water service for safety and non-safety components and aid in reducing decay heat from the reactors. Southern Nuclear is the company responsible for the operation of this power plant, which obtains its cooling source from the Savannah River.
8. McGuire Nuclear Station
Located in the city of Huntersville, North Carolina, McGuire Nuclear Station is a nuclear power plant that harnesses the power of Charlotte’s Lake Norman as its primary cooling source. Duke Energy, one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States, owns and operates the facility.
The plant consists of two pressurized water reactor units, each with a gross capacity of 1,215MW, which can produce enough electricity to power approximately 1.7 million homes. With a total capacity of 2.43GW, McGuire Nuclear Station is one of the largest nuclear power plants in the country.
In the event of a steam release, the plant’s containment system utilizes ice condensers to limit pressure and prevent any release of radioactive material. Additionally, the station has a dry cask storage facility on site for storing spent fuel.
Since its opening in 1981, McGuire Nuclear Station has been an important contributor to the energy grid, providing reliable and carbon-free electricity to customers throughout the Southeast. In fact, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute, nuclear energy provides about 55% of North Carolina’s carbon-free electricity, and the state is home to six operational nuclear power plants, including McGuire.
9. Salem Nuclear Power Plant
The Salem Nuclear Power Plant, located in Lower Alloways Creek Township, New Jersey, is a facility that uses two-unit pressurized water reactors to generate electricity. This plant is owned jointly by Constellation Energy and PSEG Nuclear LLC.
In operation since the 1970s, the Salem Nuclear Power Plant has a total capacity of 2,338 megawatts, making it one of the largest nuclear power plants in the United States. The plant uses cooling water from the Delaware River to regulate its temperature during operation.
To ensure safe and reliable operation, the Salem Nuclear Power Plant is subject to rigorous regulatory oversight by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The plant is designed with multiple layers of safety features and redundant systems to prevent accidents and mitigate any potential consequences.
10. Byron Nuclear Generating Station
Byron Nuclear Generating Station is a nuclear power plant situated in Ogle County, Illinois. It is owned and operated by the Exelon Corporation, one of the largest nuclear power plant operators in the United States. The power plant utilizes two pressurized water reactors (PWR) which started operations in the mid-1980s. The power plant is named after the nearby Byron Township.
One of the unique features of the Byron Nuclear Generating Station is that it utilizes the Rock River, a famous river in Illinois, as its cooling source. The power plant also has two natural draft cooling towers which are used to cool the reactors. The combined capacity of the two operational units is 2.3 GW.
The power plant generates a significant amount of electricity for the state of Illinois. In fact, it has been reported that in 2005, Byron Nuclear Generating Station generated enough electricity to serve millions of Illinois residents. Nuclear power is one of the most reliable and efficient sources of electricity and the Byron Nuclear Generating Station is a testament to that fact.
In recent years, there has been much debate about the safety of nuclear power plants. However, the Byron Nuclear Generating Station has an excellent safety record and is regularly inspected by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure that it meets all safety standards. The power plant has also implemented several safety measures to ensure that it can continue to generate electricity safely and efficiently for years to come.
FAQS
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, and Peach Bottom Nuclear Generating Station.