Philippsburg nuclear power plant: Block 2 reconnected to the grid after its annual inspection
Karlsruhe. Block 2 of the Philippsburg nuclear power plant (KKP 2) has been back online since noon today (1 June 2016) following the completion of its annual inspection. Over the past few weeks, testing and maintenance work was completed, fuel elements were replaced and a number of technical projects were implemented.
“KKP 2 is connected to the grid again and will – along with Block II in Neckarwestheim – once more make an important contribution to the reliable and climate-friendly supply of electricity in Baden-Württemberg”, explained Christoph Heil, Managing Director of EnBW Kernkraft GmbH responsible for power plant operations. “In parallel to the inspection work, we carried out a comprehensive investigation into the misconduct we had identified by three employees of an external service provider and introduced measures to prevent it happening again.”
Around 800 additional experts supported the comprehensive inspection work
“The extensive inspection work went very well. Around 5,300 individual activities were planned in total, most of which could only be performed when the plant had been shut down”, reported Thomas Franke, Head of the KKP 2 power plant. “Alongside routine work, the tasks completed also included numerous maintenance measures on large-scale components. For example, an inspection of all four main coolant pumps was completed, as well as pressure testing of two of the four steam generators and the reactor pressure vessel. In addition, one of the six main coolant water pumps was replaced and one of the six main coolant water circuits inspected. Regular maintenance work was also completed on individual emergency power generators.” Around 800 additional experts from manufacturing and specialist companies supported the extensive inspection work.
The inspection work took place under the supervision of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Industry and was accompanied by auditors from TÜV and KeTAG (Baden-Württemberg Auditors Consortium for Nuclear Technology) appointed by the Ministry. Following acceptance of the work, the Ministry gave its approval for the power plant block to be restarted. 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 eleven billion kilowatt hours of electricity in 2015.
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). Power operation at KKP 2 will cease at the latest at the end of 2019 and at GKN II at the latest at the end of 2022. The dismantling of these power plants is then set to commence quickly. The required applications will be submitted by EnKK this year. A further power plant that no longer produces electricity is located at each of the sites (GKN I and KKP 1). The first approvals for the decommissioning and dismantling applications submitted by EnKK for these deactivated blocks are expected in the second half of 2016. Once received, the dismantling of GKN 1 and KKP 1 can begin. Good progress has been made with the dismantling of the nuclear power plant at the Obrigheim location since 2008.