What happened to the South Texas nuclear Project?
On February 15, 2021 during a major power outage that impacted much of the state of Texas, an automatic reactor trip shut South Texas Nuclear Generation Station Unit 1 due to low steam generator levels.
What was the worst nuclear accident in US history?
The Three Mile Island Unit 2 reactor, near Middletown, Pa., partially melted down on March 28, 1979. This was the most serious accident in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant operating history, although its small radioactive releases had no detectable health effects on plant workers or the public.
Has a nuclear power plant ever exploded in America?
The Three Mile Island accident was a partial meltdown of reactor number 2 of Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station (TMI-2) in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg, and subsequent radiation leak that occurred on March 28, 1979.
Are there any nuclear plants in Texas?
There are two operating nuclear power plants in Texas. The South Texas Project (STP) is in Matagorda County near Bay City, about 90 miles southwest of Houston. Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant is in Somervell County near Glen Rose, TX, about 40 miles south of Fort Worth.
When was the last nuclear plant built in Texas?
| Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant | |
|---|---|
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | December 19, 1974 |
| Commission date | Unit 1: August 13, 1990 Unit 2: August 3, 1993 |
| Owner(s) | Luminant |
Why did stp shut down?
18, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission said in a daily reactor status report. Rowland said Feb. 16 the unit shut “due to cold weather-related issues in the plant’s feedwater system.” Weather conditions did not impact the 1,312-MW South Texas Project-2, which operated at 100% early Feb. 15-18, according to NRC.
How many grids does Texas have?
three power grids
Yes, most of Texas’ power supply is connected to a grid entirely within state lines. It is one of three power grids in the country: a western power grid, an eastern power grid and the Texas grid.
Which Texas nuclear plant went offline?
Vistra Corp., the state’s largest power generation company, had one unit down: The Comanche Peak nuclear plant outside of Fort Worth shut down one of its units when the main transformer experienced a fire, according to the company, which owns the plant.
Why was the South Texas nuclear power plant shut down?
On February 15, 2021 during a major power outage that impacted much of the state of Texas, an automatic reactor trip shut South Texas Nuclear Generation Station Unit 1 due to low steam generator levels. According to a Nuclear Regulatory Commission report, the low steam generator levels were due to loss of Feedwater pumps 11 and 13.
Where are the nuclear power plants in Texas?
STP occupies a 12,200-acre (4,900 ha) site west of the Colorado River about 90 miles (140 km) southwest of Houston. It consists of two Westinghouse Pressurized Water Reactors and is cooled by a 7,000-acre (2,800 ha) reservoir, which eliminates the need for cooling towers.
Who are the owners of the San Antonio nuclear power plant?
The STPEGS reactors are operated by the STP Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC). Ownership is divided among NRG Energy at 44 percent, San Antonio municipal utility CPS Energy at 40 percent and Austin Energy at 16 percent.
When was the South Texas power plant built?
Construction started at December 22, 1975. By 1978, the South Texas Project was two years behind schedule and had substantial cost overruns. A new management team had been put in place by HL&P in late 1978 to deal with the cost overruns, schedule delays and other challenges.
