Leveraging Nuclear Energy
Exelon’s nuclear investment delivers around-the-clock electricity with virtually no greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Exelon Generation has 16,983 MW of nuclear generating capacity across 19 units. In 2008, these units produced 139,342 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, or approximately 93 percent of Exelon Generation’s total output.
Sustained Operational Excellence
During 2008, the 17 nuclear generating units operated by Exelon Nuclear achieved an average capacity factor of 93.9 percent, marking the sixth consecutive year of a factor greater than 93 percent and placing Nuclear in the top quartile among major fleets. The industry average capacity factor in 2008 was 89.5 percent. Our nuclear fleet completed the summer period with no outages for the first time in the company’s history – setting a new record for summer capacity factor (98.6 percent). Capacity factors are significantly affected by the number and duration of refueling outages.
Sustained Nuclear Regulatory Performance Excellence
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) subjects nuclear generating stations to continuing review and regulation covering – among other things – operations, maintenance, emergency planning, security and environmental and radiological aspects of those stations. The NRC may modify, suspend or revoke operating licenses and impose civil penalties for compliance failure. Performance-indicator results from the NRC’s 2008 Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) show that the plants operated by Exelon Nuclear are all in the highest performance band.
In 2008, in areas of regulatory oversight other than security,
- Exelon Nuclear had nine sites remain at the licensee response level - the lowest NRC oversight level; and
- Byron was at the regulatory response level, the second lowest NRC oversight level, due to plant equipment issues. Byron has addressed these issues and, pending a successful inspection, should close out the concern, such that all sites are expected to be at the licensee response level at the end of 2009.
With respect to regulatory issues related to security in 2008,
- Clinton and Three Mile Island (TMI) were downgraded to the regulatory response level, both for issues related to proper control of “safeguards” information. By year-end 2008, TMI returned to the licensee response level due to successful inspections and closure of issues. However, due to the timing of its violation, Clinton, is expected to return to the licensee response level in the third quarter of 2009.
- Dresden and Peach Bottom were at the regulatory response level at the start of 2008 due to 2007 violations, but were returned to licensee response level due to successful inspections and closure of the issues by year-end 2008.
In 2008, Peach Bottom was also under a NRC confirmatory action letter (CAL) and a NRC deviation memo to allow for additional inspections following the 2007 inattentive security officer event. Both the CAL and the deviation memo were successfully closed in 2008. As a result of 2008 NRC enforcement action for this event, Peach Bottom was assessed a $65,000 civil penalty. The lower penalty amount was in recognition of the prompt corrective actions taken by the station.
Radiation Dose Reporting: In May 2009, Exelon Nuclear will submit its 2008 report of radiation dose to the public, which is monitored by the NRC and documented in each nuclear site’s annual radioactive effluent release and radiological environmental operating reports. For 2007, Nuclear reported radiation dose to the public that was well below established regulatory limits. Based upon current data, Nuclear expects to report similar levels for 2008. Our reports are publicly available on the NRC Web site.
Occupational Exposure Reporting: With regard to worker exposure to radiation, Exelon Nuclear fleet ended the year at 1,761 person-rem - exceeding our goal of 1,834.6 person-rem. Nuclear also achieved each of the boiling water reactor and pressurized water reactor exposure goals for the first time. In addition, eleven of Exelon Nuclear’s units have obtained full Institute of Nuclear Plant Operator (INPO) points, up from four units at the start of the year. This was accomplished by implementation of improvements in worker dose monitoring and outage dose control, as well as through enhanced employee engagement.
Here is more information on reactor oversight process and access to the NRC’s ROP performance indicators summary (including radiological effluents and occupational exposure control effectiveness) for Exelon and all regulated U.S. nuclear plants.