Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant
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| Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant |
| Location | Lusby, Maryland |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 38.4333, -76.45 |
| Operator | Exelon Generation |
| Architech | Bechtel Group |
Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power plant located in Lusby, Maryland, on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay, near the Calvert Cliffs State Park. It is owned and operated by Exelon Generation, a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation, and is one of the largest nuclear power plants in the United States, with two General Electric BWR units. The plant is regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and is a member of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and the World Association of Nuclear Operators.
● Overview
The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant is situated on a 1,225-acre site in Calvert County, Maryland, approximately 40 miles southeast of Washington, D.C. and 25 miles north of Solomons, Maryland. The plant's two units have a combined generating capacity of over 1,800 megawatts, enough to power approximately 1 million homes. The plant uses cooling towers to dissipate heat and Chesapeake Bay water for cooling, and is connected to the PJM Interconnection grid. The plant is also a member of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and the Mid-Atlantic Area Council.
● History
The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant was first proposed in the early 1960s by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, with construction beginning in 1967. The plant's first unit, Unit 1, began commercial operation in 1975, followed by Unit 2 in 1977. The plant was originally owned and operated by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, but was later acquired by Constellation Energy Group in 2000, and then by Exelon Generation in 2012. The plant has undergone several upgrades and refurbishments over the years, including the replacement of the low-pressure turbines and the installation of new digital control systems by Westinghouse Electric Company and Areva SA.
● Design_and_Operation
The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant features two General Electric BWR units, each with a generating capacity of over 900 megawatts. The plant uses enriched uranium fuel and has a coolant system that utilizes Chesapeake Bay water for cooling. The plant's turbines are manufactured by General Electric and the generators are manufactured by Siemens AG. The plant is designed to operate for 18 months between refueling outages, and has a capacity factor of over 90%. The plant is also equipped with emergency core cooling systems and containment structures designed by Bechtel Group and Fluor Corporation.
● Safety_and_Environment
The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant has a strong safety record, with no major accidents or incidents reported since its inception. The plant is regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and is subject to regular inspections and audits. The plant has also implemented various safety measures, including emergency response plans and radiation monitoring systems. The plant's environmental impact is also closely monitored, with measures in place to minimize water pollution and air pollution. The plant is a member of the Nuclear Energy Institute and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and has received awards from the National Safety Council and the American Nuclear Society.
● Economics_and_Regulation
The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant is a significant contributor to the local economy, generating over $500 million in economic benefits each year. The plant is also a major source of tax revenue for Calvert County, Maryland and the State of Maryland. The plant is regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and is subject to various federal and state laws, including the Atomic Energy Act and the Clean Air Act. The plant is also a member of the Electric Power Research Institute and the National Electric Manufacturers Association, and has participated in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proceedings.
● Accidents_and_Incidents
The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant has experienced several minor accidents and incidents over the years, including a tritium leak in 2007 and a radioactive waste spill in 2010. However, none of these incidents have resulted in any significant radiation exposure or environmental damage. The plant has also been subject to various Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspections and audits, which have identified several areas for improvement. The plant has implemented corrective actions to address these issues, including the replacement of valves and pumps by Flowserve Corporation and Curtiss-Wright Corporation. The plant is also a member of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and the World Association of Nuclear Operators, and has participated in International Atomic Energy Agency peer reviews.