Palo Verde’s Unit Three Prepares for Refueling and Up-rated Capacity Outage

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas). In less than two weeks (September 29), the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Station will take their number three unit offline for its 18 month refueling outage, as well as performing hardware replacements for an up-rate in generating capacity. The up-rate has been determined to be 2.9% by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) , boosting summer capacity (highest attainable yield) to 1,317 megawatts, the same increase in capacity percentage as was gained on the number one unit in 2005.

This increase will be achieved largely through the addition of two new steam generator/LP rotors sets, as well as a number of hardware change-outs to increase the longevity and durability of the unit. The capacity increase should add deliverable power to an additional 40,000 average Arizona homes. Moreover, Palo Verde plans to add two units by 2016, adding approximately 2,600 megawatts to the plant as a whole. If constructed, the Palo Verde additions would make the plant one of the largest power generating facilities of any kind in the United States.

The plant is located about 35 miles west of Phoenix in Tonopah, Arizona, and has been the largest nuclear power producer in the United States since the mid-80s. Its three units are capable of generating over 3,900 megawatts of electricity, enough to power over three million average homes. Palo Verde is operated by Arizona Public Service Company (APS), and owned by a consortium of seven utilities in the Southwest. APS is the largest stakeholder in the generating facility at 29.1%.

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