POWER November 2012 - 1

Established 1882 * Vol. 156 * No. 11
November 2012
30
32
ON THE COVER
Dominion Virginia Power contracted with Alstom Power to upgrade the two steam turbines
at its North Anna nuclear power station in 2007. The steam turbine rework included replacing
the double-flow, high-pressure rotor and diaphragms with a more efficient single-flow
arrangement and two low-pressure (LP) double-flow turbines-shown in the photo as they
are being assembled. The LP turbine's last-stage blade length increased from 48 to 57
inches, requiring replacement of the LP inner casing and significant rework to the exhaust
hoods, condenser connections, and surrounding structural steel. Courtesy: Alstom Power
COVER STORY: nuClEaR TOp planTS
30 north anna power Station, louisa County, Virginia
For decades now, U.S. nuclear generators, faced with daunting barriers to new construction,
have had to practice a special kind of energy efficiency by way of upgrades.
Dominion's North Anna station recently completed its second uprate, this
one made possible by steam turbine retrofits.
32 Oconee nuclear Station, Seneca, South Carolina
Nuclear plant operators and regulators are cautious by nature-for good reason.
But you can't use outmoded equipment forever. By installing the first nuclear plant
digital control system in the U.S., Duke Energy has positioned itself at the forefront
of an important technology switch.
SpECIal REpORTS
nuClEaR pOwER
34 Dominion's north anna Station Sets new Standard for Earthquake
Response
Just six months after the earthquake-and-tsunami-caused nuclear disaster in Japan, a
record-setting earthquake struck Central Virginia. For the nuclear plant located only 11
miles from the epicenter, it was a beyond-design-basis event. How management and
staff responded to that event has set a new benchmark for earthquake recovery.
42 what worldwide nuclear Growth Slowdown?
Although last year's nuclear plant disaster in Japan prompted a necessary and expected
reevaluation of nuclear plants and plans worldwide, one year later, the net
effect on the global nuclear outlook is barely measurable.
More POWER Nuclear
Coverage on the Web
Look for this web-exclusive story under
the Features heading on our homepage,
www.powermag.com, during the
month of November or in our Archives
any time: " Too Dumb to Meter, Part 5. "
It's the latest installment of Contributing
Editor Kennedy Maize's history of
nuclear power in the U.S.
And remember to check our What's
New? segment on the homepage regularly
for just-posted news stories covering
all fuels and technologies.
November 2012 | POWER
www.powermag.com
1
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POWER November 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of POWER November 2012

Contents
POWER November 2012 - Cover1
POWER November 2012 - Cover2
POWER November 2012 - Contents
POWER November 2012 - 2
POWER November 2012 - 3
POWER November 2012 - 4
POWER November 2012 - 5
POWER November 2012 - 6
POWER November 2012 - 7
POWER November 2012 - 8
POWER November 2012 - 9
POWER November 2012 - 10
POWER November 2012 - 11
POWER November 2012 - 12
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POWER November 2012 - Cover3
POWER November 2012 - Cover4
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