Philippsburg nuclear power plant: Block 2 disconnected from the grid for its annual inspection – EnBW is investing in the high level of safety of its nuclear power plants
Karlsruhe. Block 2 of the Philippsburg nuclear power plant (KKP 2) is being disconnected from the grid today (Friday,19 June 2015) as planned. Testing and maintenance work will be completed, fuel elements replaced and a number of technical projects implemented during this inspection.
“KKP 2 remains – along with Block II in Neckarwestheim – a key foundation stone for the reliable and climate-friendly supply of electricity in Baden-Württemberg. The safe operation of our power plants continues to be our highest priority. We utilise the annual inspection to carry out comprehensive tests and numerous inspection and maintenance activities to ensure that the power plant is kept completely up-to-date from a technological standpoint and maintains a high level of safety” explains Christoph Heil, the Managing Director of EnBW Kernkraft GmbH responsible for power plant operations. “At the same time, we are continuing the decommissioning work at both locations on those blocks that have already been shut down, namely KKP 1 and GKN I. The authorization process required for the decommissioning and dismantling work is currently ongoing. Good progress has been made with the dismantling of the power plant in Obrigheim. The dismantling work – 10 years after it was shut down – at this location has already reached the heart of the power plant – the reactor pressure vessel. We are utilising the experience and knowledge gained from Obrigheim for planning the decommissioning of the locations in Philippsburg and Neckarwestheim.”
Around 800 additional experts support the extensive inspection work
"We have developed a very comprehensive inspection programme this year. There are around 4,000 individual activities in total, most of which can only be performed when the plant has been shut down.” reports Thomas Franke, Head of the KKP 2 power plant. “The programme not only includes routine work but also numerous maintenance measures on large-scale components, such as the inspection of one of the four main coolant pumps or pressure testing of two of the four steam generators. In addition, one of the six main coolant water circuits will be inspected and the pump rotor replaced in one of the six main coolant water pumps. Maintenance will be carried out on the motors for four of the eight emergency power generators. Furthermore, a transformer that was replaced last year and reconditioned by the manufacturer will now be reinstalled. The transformer was transported from the manufacturer's factory in Nuremberg to Philippsburg a few days ago by rail. Finally, there will also be a comprehensive inspection of the generator.” Around 800 additional experts from manufacturing and specialist companies will support the extensive inspection work.
The inspection work will take place under the supervision of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Industry and will be accompanied by auditors from TÜV and KeTAG (Baden-Württemberg Auditors Consortium for Nuclear Technology) appointed by the ministry.
Block 2 of the Philippsburg nuclear power plant is a pressurised water reactor with an electrical output of 1,468 megawatts. The power plant was commissioned in 1984 and generated around ten billion kilowatt hours of electricity in 2014.
Block 2 is operated by EnBW Kernkraft GmbH (EnKK). EnKK stands for safety in the operation and post operation, as well as the decommissioning and dismantling of the nuclear power plants in Baden-Württemberg. In Neckarwestheim and Philippsburg, EnKK generates electricity with one nuclear power plant at each location (GKN II and KKP 2). A further power plant that no longer produces electricity is located at each of the sites (GKN I and KKP 1). EnKK is currently preparing for the decommissioning of those power plants that have been shut down and has submitted the first applications to this end. Good progress has been made with the dismantling of the nuclear power plant at the Obrigheim location since 2008.