Headline News had a small text exerpt about a Nuc Plant Unit 2 in , Tennessee powering down.

Thought I'd keep you abreast!

Funny little things, those embedded chips! whoda thunk it?

Not that all things happening are embedded systems or Y2K, but there is more to this than meets the eye, and I'm afraid it's only the tip of the iceburg.

-- Electman (vrepair1@tampabay.rr.com), January 18, 2000

Answers

THe NRC's Daily Event Reports are posted, in mindnumbingly bad formatting, here.

There are only reports up to the 17th at this time, 11pm eastern jan.18.

-- Forrest Covington (theforrest@mindspring.com), January 18, 2000.

Plant Status Report See Site Location for Plant information. See Defined Terms for Plant Operational "Modes" and "Conditions." Ignore "Phone" number, used only by NRC Operations Center Personnel. NRC OPERATIONS CENTER PLANT STATUS REPORT FOR 01/18/2000 UNEVALUATED INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE FACILITY

REG PLANT NAME %PWR DOWN REASON OR COMMENT * # --- ------------------------ ---- -------- --------------------------- ----- - - 1 BEAVER VALLEY 1 100 * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 BEAVER VALLEY 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 CALVERT CLIFFS 1 100 * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 CALVERT CLIFFS 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 FITZPATRICK 1 60 Power Operation * CONDENSER TUBE LEAK REPAIRS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 GINNA 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 HOPE CREEK 1 95 Power Operation * 4C FEEDWATER HEATER OFFLINE ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 INDIAN POINT 2 99 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 INDIAN POINT 3 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 LIMERICK 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 LIMERICK 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 MILLSTONE 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 MILLSTONE 3 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 NINE MILE POINT 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 NINE MILE POINT 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 OYSTER CREEK 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 PEACH BOTTOM 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 PEACH BOTTOM 3 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 PILGRIM 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 SALEM 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 SALEM 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 SEABROOK 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 SUSQUEHANNA 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 SUSQUEHANNA 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 THREE MILE ISLAND 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 1 VERMONT YANKEE 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------  NRC OPERATIONS CENTER PLANT STATUS REPORT FOR 01/18/2000 UNEVALUATED INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE FACILITY

REG PLANT NAME %PWR DOWN REASON OR COMMENT * # --- ------------------------ ---- -------- --------------------------- ----- - - 2 BROWNS FERRY 1 0 03/03/85 Refueling DEFUELED ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 BROWNS FERRY 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 BROWNS FERRY 3 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 BRUNSWICK 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 BRUNSWICK 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 CATAWBA 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 CATAWBA 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 CRYSTAL RIVER 3 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 FARLEY 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 FARLEY 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 HARRIS 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 HATCH 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 HATCH 2 98 Power Operation MAXIMUM OPERATING POWER ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 MCGUIRE 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 MCGUIRE 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 NORTH ANNA 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 NORTH ANNA 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 OCONEE 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 OCONEE 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 OCONEE 3 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 ROBINSON 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 SEQUOYAH 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 SEQUOYAH 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 ST LUCIE 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 ST LUCIE 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 SUMMER 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 SURRY 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 SURRY 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 TURKEY POINT 3 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 TURKEY POINT 4 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 VOGTLE 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 VOGTLE 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 2 WATTS BAR 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------  NRC OPERATIONS CENTER PLANT STATUS REPORT FOR 01/18/2000 UNEVALUATED INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE FACILITY

REG PLANT NAME %PWR DOWN REASON OR COMMENT * # --- ------------------------ ---- -------- --------------------------- ----- - - 3 BRAIDWOOD 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 BRAIDWOOD 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 BYRON 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 BYRON 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 CLINTON 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 COOK 1 0 09/08/97 Refueling REFUELING OUTAGE - DEFUELED ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 COOK 2 0 09/09/97 Refueling REFUELING OUTAGE - DEFUELED ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 DAVIS BESSE 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 DRESDEN 2 64 Power Operation * CHARGING EHC ACCUMULATORS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 DRESDEN 3 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 DUANE ARNOLD 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 FERMI 2 97 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 KEWAUNEE 1 97 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 LASALLE 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 LASALLE 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 MONTICELLO 1 0 01/05/00 Refueling REFUELING OUTAGE ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 PALISADES 1 85 Power Operation CHEMISTRY HOLD ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 PERRY 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 POINT BEACH 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 POINT BEACH 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 PRAIRIE ISLAND 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 PRAIRIE ISLAND 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 QUAD CITIES 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 3 QUAD CITIES 2 86 Power Operation COASTDOWN TO REFUELING OUTAGE ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------  NRC OPERATIONS CENTER PLANT STATUS REPORT FOR 01/18/2000 UNEVALUATED INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE FACILITY

REG PLANT NAME %PWR DOWN REASON OR COMMENT * # --- ------------------------ ---- -------- --------------------------- ----- - - 4 ARKANSAS NUCLEAR 1 72 Power Operation AT MAX POWER LEVEL FOR 3 OPERATING REACTOR COOLANT PUMPS. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 ARKANSAS NUCLEAR 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 CALLAWAY 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 COMANCHE PEAK 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 COMANCHE PEAK 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 COOPER 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 DIABLO CANYON 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 DIABLO CANYON 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 FT CALHOUN 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 GRAND GULF 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 PALO VERDE 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 PALO VERDE 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 PALO VERDE 3 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 RIVER BEND 1 95 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 SAN ONOFRE 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 SAN ONOFRE 3 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 SOUTH TEXAS 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 SOUTH TEXAS 2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 WATERFORD 3 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 WNP-2 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- 4 WOLF CREEK 1 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- * - REASON OR COMMENT HAS BEEN CHANGED IN PAST 24 HOURS # - NUMBER OF REACTOR SCRAMS WITHIN PAST 24 HOURS NOTE - REACTOR STATUS DATA COLLECTED BETWEEN 4 A.M. AND 8 A.M. EACH DAY. ALL TIMES ARE BASED ON EASTERN TIMES (ET).

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), January 19, 2000.

02:24 EST. A link to the original story, please? Oh, nevermind... Status report, 01/ 18/2000 has the following oddities:

Fitzpatrick 1 - 60% power - Condensor Tube Repairs Hope Creek 1 - 95% power - 4C Feedwater Heater Offline Dresden 2 - 64% power - Charging EHC Accumulators Arkansas Nuclear - still at 72% with 3 reactor coolant pumps Quad Cities 2 - 86% power - still coasting down to refuel Palisades 1 - 85% power - chemistry hold

And 4 more are refueling. Everything else, including Perry, are at 95% or better.

Next?

-- harl (harlanquin@aol.hell), January 19, 2000.

grrrr... alright, somebody give the html for a hard return. thanks

-- harl (harlanquin@aol.hell), January 19, 2000.

harl,

it's (br), but substitute "less than" for the (.

however, if you use the "break" symbol, you have to also insert your own paragraph -- double break, or double return -- symbols

-- (4@5.6), January 19, 2000.

I do not have a link, only what I saw reported on Headline News in their little ticker box at the bottom of the screen. It simply said that a nuc plant in Tenn. had been powered down. The name of the plant is either of these two, seeing how all I remember about the name of the city was a bunch of s's and q's

SUSQUEHANNA 2 or SEQUOYAH 2 whichever of these is in Tenn. , this is the report I saw on Headline News, 'tward 5 PM EST. I dont know what to make of the reports generated above, all I can do is tell you what I saw, just like rollover, when 3 scuds were launched in Russia, and no-one would believe it.

Do I regret the post? NOT!

-- Electman (vrepair1@tampabay.rr.com), January 19, 2000.

Am I not getting something here? So many of these plants are operating at 100% capacity. Is this normal? I was under the impression that they generally ran at a percentage, in order to allow themselves a "cushion" in case there were large problems elsewhere on the grid. I guess I never knew that they were all always running at peak output.

-- Liz (lizpavek@hotmail.com), January 19, 2000.

Well hello Electman, how's your back?

-- jeile (tjfarrar@bellsouth.net), January 19, 2000.

Liz:

Most utilities have a mixture of nuclear and fossil plants. Nuclear plants usually are run at 100% power as much as possible - since they are much less expensive to operate on a daily basis. (Extremely expensive to build, but no day-to-day fuel costs. So anytime they can operate a coal or oil plant at a lower rate (use less fuel) the utilities try to.

So an oil plant may run at 50-85% capacity, adjusting its level to meet any demand greater than can be met from the nuclear plant. (The techincal term used is "Base loading" - the nuclear plant picks up the base of the load, and the fossil plant gets whatever is left over at the top.)

So the 5-15% margin (summer time) is met by "extra capacity" in the fossil plant(s) that is not being used. In winter, electric usage is down (no airconditioning and less construction projects) so the excess capacity is higher. The nuclear plant still cariies 100% of its full capacity, but the fossil plants either shutdown or go to 20-40% capacity.

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Marietta, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), January 20, 2000.