Nuclear capacity hits a high
August 17, 2015 | By
Jaclyn Brandt
Nuclear is growing, with the June 2015 capacity factor the highest it has been in six years.
In June, U.S. nuclear plants produced electricity with an average estimated capacity factor of 96.4 percent -- with 90 of 99 facilities operating at 90 percent or better, and 62 operated at 100 percent or higher. "Capacity factor compares the amount of electricity a power plant produces over a given period to the maximum it could produce at continuous full power operation during the same period," according to NEI. "Reactors running at 100 percent capacity, for example, are operating nonstop and at full power over the period measured." A recent report by NEI found that in June 2015, the estimated nuclear generation in the US was 68.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), compared to 68.1 billion kWh in June 2014. Peak demand for electricity is generally during summer and winter months, when more energy is needed to heat or cool homes. Because of this, plant operators usually take fall and spring months to take care of maintenance and refueling. According to NEI, spring 2015 refueling outages averaged 34 days, while spring 2014 refueling outages averaged 29 days. Fall 2015 outages are expected to begin on Labor Day weekend -- with 30 plants expected to refuel during the season. "The top generating nuclear units in 2014 were, as usual, larger reactors in France, Germany and the US. In France, EDF's 1,560 megawatt (MW) Chooz-B2 was the top generator globally, producing 12.9 million MWh in 2014 and posting an annual capacity factor of 94.1 percent," Platts said in a study. "Arizona Public Service's 1,405-MW Palo Verde-3 in the US was in second place, producing 12.2 million MWh and posting an annual capacity factor of 97.5 percent. STP Nuclear Operating Co.'s 1,312-MW South Texas-2 in the US was in third place, generating 12.19 million MWh and obtaining the highest capacity factor in the analysis globally, over 100 percent." For more: © 2015 FierceMarkets, a division of Questex, LLC. All rights reserved. http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/nuclear-capacity-hits-high/2015-08-17 |