Exelon Generation’s Illinois Nuclear Plants Ran at Nearly Full Capacity During Midwest Deep Freeze
WARRENVILLE, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As an arctic deep freeze pounded the Midwest with high winds,
bone-chilling temperatures and high power demands, Exelon Generation’s
Illinois nuclear plants delivered reliable, critical electricity to 12
million homes and businesses. During the same period, Exelon
Generation’s nuclear facilities in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and
Pennsylvania delivered near maximum levels of reliability for 11 million
homes and businesses as Winter Storm Grayson pummeled the East Coast.
Similar to the Polar Vortex, Winter Storm Grayson caused massive spikes
in electricity demand. According to PJM Interconnection, the regional
grid operator, the storm generated the region’s highest winter
electricity demand since 2014, resulting in two of PJM’s all-time top 10
winter peak demands: 136,125 megawatts on Jan. 3 and 136,206 on Jan. 5.
During the Polar Vortex of 2014, Exelon Generation’s nuclear fleet
operated at 95 percent capacity.
“Our performance this past week helps demonstrate nuclear power’s
reliability and resiliency nationally,” said Chief Nuclear Officer Bryan
Hanson. “Millions of people count on the electricity our nuclear
facilities provide, in homes, businesses, schools and hospitals, so we
prepare for winter all year long to meet our reliability commitments.”
All 14 Exelon Generation nuclear facilities operate more than 90 percent
of the time, even though the reactors are taken offline for refueling
outages every 18 to 24 months. With on-site fuel and 18- to 24-month
operating cycles, Exelon Generation’s nuclear plants don’t face fuel
availability or delivery problems in inclement weather.
Winter resiliency and reliability requires year-long planning,
preparation and maintenance. Exelon Generation workers spend months
ensuring that backup generators and spare equipment is ready for
inclement weather. This fall, operators and maintenance personnel
inspected freeze protection systems, tested electrical equipment, and
properly aligned plant systems to prepare all Exelon Generation
facilities for sub-zero temperatures, icy conditions and heavy snowfall.
These efforts are in addition to the many equipment upgrades and “winter
readiness” maintenance activities performed during refueling outages.
Exelon Generation, a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), is
one of the largest, most efficient clean energy producers in the U.S.,
with a generating capacity of more than 35,500 megawatts. Exelon
Generation operates the largest U.S. fleet of carbon-free nuclear plants
with 20,300 megawatts of capacity from 23 reactors at 14 facilities in
Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Exelon
Generation also operates a diverse mix of wind, solar, landfill gas,
hydroelectric, natural gas and oil facilities in 18 states with more
than 15,200 megawatts. Exelon Generation has an industry-leading safety
record and is an active partner and economic engine in the communities
it serves by providing jobs, charitable contributions and tax payments
that help towns and regions grow. Follow Exelon Generation on Twitter
@ExelonGen, view the Exelon Generation channel on YouTube, and visit:
http://www.exeloncorp.com/companies/exelon-generation.
Contacts
Exelon Generation Communications
David Tillman, 717-368-0969
[email protected]
