Join me in celebrating Nuclear Science Week

It’s Nuclear Science Week (Oct. 19-23), an internationally recognized week dedicated to celebrating the study of the atomic world! As an engineer who has worked in the nuclear energy industry for more than 30 years, I believe there’s no better time than Nuclear Science Week to bring into focus the advantages of nuclear power, to bust myths, and to applaud the innovative work being done across the industry. 

Let’s dig into a few:  

Reliability and dependability are proven cornerstones of nuclear power generation

Nuclear plants are designed to generate massive amounts of power and built to withstand severe weather conditions, including impacts from earthquakes, polar vortexes, heat waves, floods and hurricanes. Generating uninterrupted power around-the-clock is exactly what Exelon nuclear facilities have done for decades.

Recently, California experienced intermittent blackouts

Without the benefit of continually generated nuclear power, millions of its citizens endured intentional, intermittent power cuts during record heat waves and wildfires in California, all amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Because the state relies on intermittent power sources, demand outpaced supply. Had nuclear power been part of the generation equation, that scenario likely could have been avoided. Peak demand calls for the unwavering generation performance of nuclear power. 

Always on

No other generation source has the capacity factor of nuclear; it surpasses all other fuel types and is a critical factor in the clean energy mix equation of the future.

The resiliency of nuclear plants has proven to be superior. Despite fewer facilities online in the U.S. due to plant closures, nuclear power continues to generate 20 percent of all of our country’s electricity. Of all the U.S. nuclear plant capacity factors, Exelon’s fleet led the way with a remarkable 95.7 percent capacity factor. In fact, for 20 years and counting, Exelon’s fleet capacity factor has exceeded the industry average. 

Exceptional standards

Our nuclear fleet has met the challenge for increased safety and operational excellence, generating the most reliable zero-carbon energy in the country. In all aspects of operations, we meet or exceed NRC safety standards. 

Put simply, the world needs zero-carbon nuclear power more than ever

In his Atoms for Peace speech, Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “This (nuclear) plant—using the power of the atom to supply electrical power—represents what can be done, not only in America, but throughout the world, to put the atom to work for the good of mankind.” 

Nuclear power generation is the world’s largest reliable zero-carbon energy source, and to address clean energy initiatives while attempting to mitigate climate change, it must continue to play a major role.