Transformer explodes at Exelon's Pa. Limerick nuke

subscribe

A transformer exploded recently at the Limerick nuclear station in Pennsylvania due to an electrical malfunction in the plant's turbine building, the company told the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in an event report.

Security personnel at the plant conducted a "thorough walk-down of all areas and had no concerns," the company said in the report. Both 1,196 megawatt units 1 and 2 at the plant, which can produce enough power to serve more than 2.2 million homes, remained at full power during the incident.

The affected transformer, located in the non-nuclear portion of the plant, provides internal power to plant equipment such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment and other components, the company said in a separate statement.

The malfunction was isolated to the individual transformer and did not affect the safety of the plant, the company said.

Following the explosion, Exelon declared an unusual event, which is the lowest of four levels of emergency classification used by the NRC. The company exited the event within about two hours. The company said it was investigating the cause of the transformer failure.

The Limerick station is located in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, about 21 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Exelon Nuclear operates the nuclear units of its parent Exelon Corp. of Chicago.

Related News

wind turbines pincher creek

Alberta is a powerhouse for both green energy and fossil fuels

CALGARY - By Chris Varcoe, Calgary Herald

A few things are abundantly clear about the state of renewable energy in Alberta today.

First, the demise of Alberta’s Renewable Electricity Program (REP) under the UCP government isn’t going to see new projects come to a screeching halt.

In fact, new developments are already going ahead.

And industry experts believe private-sector companies that increasingly want to purchase wind or solar power are going to become a driving force behind even more projects in Alberta.

BluEarth Renewables CEO Grant Arnold, who spoke Wednesday at the Canadian Wind Energy Association conference, pointed out the sector is poised to keep…

READ MORE
japanese wind farm

Japanese utilities buy into vast offshore wind farm in UK

READ MORE

ercot texas

More Polar Vortex 2021 Fallout (and Texas Two-Step): Monitor For ERCOT Identifies Improper Payments For Ancillary Services

READ MORE

Andrew M. Cuomo

NY Governor Cuomo Announces Green New Deal Included in 2019 Executive Budget

READ MORE

Germany - A needed nuclear option for climate change

READ MORE