Containing operating and maintenance expenses at Oconee Nuclear Station

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States)

OSTI ID:6782402

Tuckman, M S

The subject of rising costs in the operation of nuclear plants is one of concern throughout the utility industry. A recent trend in the industry now shows that the operating and maintenance (O and M) cost of nuclear plants exceeds that of fossil plants. Considering the cost differential provided with nuclear fuel, this was indeed a sobering event, which highlighted failings in managing this technology. As one considers the issue of costs, one must be aware that there are two different ways of looking at the problem. One can consider the production cost of a kilowatt-hour of electricity, or consider the total expenditures at a nuclear power plant. Both viewpoints provide insight into the overall problem of containing costs. The plant examined was Duke Power's Oconee nuclear station. Oconee is a three-unit Babcock and Wilcox-designed nuclear steam supply system located in Seneca, South Carolina. Duke Power was the architect and engineer for this project. The units went into commercial operation in 1973 and 1974, following a construction period of [approximately] 7 yr. The O and M cost for the production of a kilowatt of electricity has declined in the last few years and is about half of the industry average for production cost.

• OSTI ID: 6782402
• Report Number(s): CONF-901101--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States) Journal Volume: 62
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210200* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
ANIMALS
BOILERS
CONSTRUCTION
COST
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
MAINTENANCE
MAMMALS
MAN
MANPOWER
OCONEE-1 REACTOR
OCONEE-2 REACTOR
OCONEE-3 REACTOR
OPERATING COST
PERSONNEL
PLANNING
POWER GENERATION
POWER REACTORS
PRIMATES
PRODUCTIVITY
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR MAINTENANCE
REACTORS
RELIABILITY
STEAM GENERATORS
THERMAL REACTORS
VAPOR GENERATORS
VERTEBRATES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS