US begins fuel loading at 40-year-old Palisades nuclear plant ahead of restart

The Palisades nuclear power plant, located on Lake Michigan and decommissioned after 40 years of operation in 2022, is now getting a new lease of life after energy company Holtec International is working to restore it to active operation status. The first-ever such transition in the U.S. reached an important milestone when fuel loading began at the site recently. As countries look to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, nuclear energy is making a major comeback. Once a popular energy source, nuclear power plants took a back seat because of high initial costs and long lead times. With limitations of renewable energy sources coming to the fore, nuclear power offers a reliable and round-the-clock source of carbon-free energy, prompting countries to embrace it. Interesting Engineering previously reported that China is building a record number of nuclear reactors toward its net-zero goal to be achieved by 2060. Although the US isn’t matching China’s pace, it is bringing back a nuclear power plant that had commercially shut down: the Palisades. Palisades nuclear power plant The Palisades nuclear power plant is located five miles away from South Haven, Michigan, and was owned by CMS Energy before its sale in 2007. Located on a 432-acre site, the power plant features a single pressurized water reactor and uses a Westinghouse turbine generator to produce upto 725 MW of electricity. The facility’s initial license expired in 2011 but was renewed for an additional 20 years. However, its then owner, Entergy, decided to shut down the nuclear plant after the business decided to exit the civilian nuclear power sector. The plant entered decommissioning after its sale to Holtec International, which then applied to the Civil Nuclear Credit Program to reopen the plant. With help from a power purchase agreement, $300 million in funding from the Michigan state government, and a $1.5 billion loan from the Department of Energy, Holtec began the process of restarting the power plant. First-ever restart As part of the restart process, Holtec carried out extensive inspections of the facility and equipment upgrades or refurbishments depending on the requirements. Among them were replacement of control rod drive mechanism nozzles, reinforcement of tubes in steam generators, removal of accumulated corrosive species from these generators, and decontamination and passivation of the primary system. After years of work, the facility has reached a milestone where fuel loading can begin and will be performed in Mode 6 under the plant’s Technical Specifications as it works toward a restart of operations. “Loading fuel into the Palisades reactor is an important milestone and a reflection of the tremendous effort of the men and women who have brought this plant to this point,” said Holtec International’s Chief Nuclear Officer Fadi Diya in a press release. “I am proud to lead an organization with such talented and dedicated people who have a deep sense of pride in this plant and a deep commitment to their community. We remain focused on disciplined execution of the remaining work and returning Palisades to safe and reliable operation.” The reactor core now consists of 204 fuel assemblies, including new and partially used fuel, and will support the plant’s 805 MW output. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Ameya is a science writer based in Hyderabad, India. A Molecular Biologist at heart, he traded the micropipette to write about science during the pandemic and does not want to go back. He likes to write about genetics, microbes, technology, and public policy.