The Alvin F. Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant in Georgia is a four-unit electrical generating facility. Commercial operations for Units 1 and 2 began in 1987 and 1989, respectively. Construction for Units 3 and 4 began in 2009, with Unit 3 commencing operations in July 2023. Unit 4 remains under construction; once complete, the Vogtle plant will become the largest nuclear power facility in the United States, capable of generating over 4600 MW of electricity.
At Plant Vogtle, generating electricity begins with pumping water into the reactor core to the fuel components, and heating happens. Within the core, nuclear fission occurs to release a substantial amount of heat. The heat heats the water, which flows through tubes in the steam generators. The hot tubes heat the surrounding cool water in the steam generator, transforming it into steam. The steam then travels to a turbine, where it heats the turbine blades, initiating a spinning motion that powers an electric generator, ultimately producing electricity. Finally, the steam moves to a condenser, where it cools into water for reuse in subsequent cycles.
Plants units 3 and 4 consist of the latest Westinghouse AP1000 technology, which has advanced features to improve operations and safety. The two-loop pressurized water reactor incorporates passive safety systems, a simple design, and advanced cooling mechanisms. The AP1000 technology ensures that radiation remains contained for up to 72 hours without requiring human intervention in the event of an accident.
