Safe and Reliable Operations
Generation Companies
Our nuclear fleet operates at world-class levels at a lower cost than our competitors.
- Exelon Nuclear’s 10 generating stations and 17 reactors in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions achieved an average capacity factor of 93.3% in 2011, the ninth consecutive year our capacity factor exceeded 93%, and produced over 131 million megawatt-hours of electricity, enough power to steadily supply millions of modern U.S. homes. Exelon Nuclear’s average refueling outage duration is consistently below the industry average.
- The company’s 8,500 nuclear professionals continue to implement industry best practices to ensure safe, reliable operation throughout the fleet, earning numerous industry awards and recognition for their efforts.
- Over the past few years, Exelon Power has made great strides in optimizing the performance of its units and maintenance programs while continuing to perform safely to provide the company with the right power, at the right time, and at the right price. Exelon Power’s fleet of fossil and hydroelectric units in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Texas provided nearly 11 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of reliable generation in 2010. With 100 units, Exelon Power can provide almost 8,000 megawatts of safe, efficient and environmentally responsible base load, intermediate and peak power generation.
Delivery Companies
Our delivery companies keep the lights on and the gas flowing and strive for continuous improvement.
- Since 2003, ComEd has invested approximately $9 billion to expand, upgrade, and maintain the reliability of its transmission and delivery systems.
- The Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act (EIMA), enacted in 2011, is a 10-year, $2.6 billion Infrastructure Investment Plan. EIMA authorizes ComEd to invest $1.3 billion to strengthen the electric system and another $1.3 billion to add new, digital smart grid and advanced meter technology that will transform the delivery of electricity to homes and businesses throughout northern Illinois.
- The beginning phase incorporates technologies that are proven to result in fewer and shorter outages, and that provide customers with real-time data to make smarter choices about electricity use. This technology includes advanced smart meters and distribution automation equipment.
- BGE and PECO were two of 6 utilities to receive major stimulus funding from the U.S. Department of Energy in late 2009. PECO will invest in advanced metering infrastructure to improve customer service and increase reliability by obtaining real-time outage information and power quality data to accelerate restoration times. BGE has also invested in an advanced metering infrastructure that will provide operational benefits as well as options and programs for customers to reduce their energy use and save on their monthly bills.
- ComEd has long been an industry safety leader consistently ranking in the top decile among utilities. In 2012, the company recorded an OSHA recordable rate of 0.93, which is the second best performance on record.
- In 2012, PECO achieved its best electric distribution system performance on record with an average of .70 outages per customer. The reduced number of sustained customer interruptions is a direct result of PECO’s ongoing investments to modernize and continuously strengthen the electric infrastructure, the company’s strong commitment to performing preventative and corrective maintenance, and working day-in and day-out to
ensure circuits are configured properly to maintain the health of our system.
- At BGE, safety is a foundational value and continuous safety performance is a goal. In 2012, BGE achieved top quartile OSHA recordable performance.
Security Measures
Exelon and its family of companies have made significant investments in security enhancements.
- Exelon Nuclear took full control of the security forces protecting its nuclear facilities – hiring about 1,500 nuclear security employees in 2008.
- BGE, ComEd and PECO make significant capital investments annually to expand system capacity and maintain reliability. Carefully designed backup systems and duplicative transmission routes ensure reliable service in severe weather situations and other extreme events.
- Exelon values the protection of its information and computer systems, paying close attention to security issues with additional levels of cyber security throughout the company, including improved firewalls and monitoring to prevent hackers or cyber terrorists from breaking into the systems. Exelon has exchanged best practices in cyber security with other large corporations, leading universities and government agencies.
- Exelon Corporate Security instituted a Security Awareness Program (SAP) throughout the Corporation to increase the level of security awareness and to reduce incidents and losses to the company. The SAP includes the reinforcement of security practices and behaviors by employees and has increased the engagement of employees to Corporate Security.
Vigilance in Emergency Response Preparation
Our operating companies maintain plans and conduct drills and exercises in preparation for potential emergencies —both independently and with local, state and federal emergency response organizations.
- Annually, each Exelon Nuclear plant conducts an integrated exercise with state and local emergency organizations. These integrated exercises test and demonstrate the ability of Exelon and first responders to protect the public in the unlikely event of a plant emergency, as well as to respond to a hostile action at a plant. The NRC also participates in – and grades – emergency response drills to ensure readiness.
- Exelon Power conducted more than 30 exercises consisting of tabletop and quarterly notification drills. The tabletop exercises focused primarily on oil spills that could affect surface and groundwater. Results of the drills demonstrated that the contingency plans and incident command systems in place at Power’s facilities were effectively implemented.
- BGE, PECO and ComEd ensure the effectiveness of their emergency-response capabilities through crisis management and emergency response team training and drills conducted several times annually.
Managing Risk Prudently
Exelon has a comprehensive risk management program designed to identify, measure, prioritize, manage and communicate significant risks. A comprehensive, company-wide business continuity plan ensures that we can keep the lights on and the gas flowing in the event of a natural disaster, national emergency or pandemic outbreak. All Exelon nuclear facilities are able to safely shut down and keep used fuel cooled even without electricity from the grid, using multiple power sources and portable, high-capacity pumps.