Massive water tank installed at Plant Vogtle as part of nuclear expansion project

ATLANTA — The Plant Vogtle marked a milestone in its expansion project: A massive 720,000-pound water storage tank was installed recently.

The plant, which is located south of Augusta, is undergoing an expansion to add two nuclear reactors. The project is years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget.

The water tank, which can hold 750,000 gallons of water, will be used in case of an emergency, and can flow water to cool the reactor if it overheats. The water can also be directed into the used fuel pool, while the tank itself can be refilled from water stored elsewhere on site.

Other milestones that have been recently achieved include:

• Unit 4 Starting Integrated Flush: This test pushes water through the permanent plant system piping that feeds into the reactor vessel and reactor coolant loops. Integrated flush represents a critical step as the process is key to helping ensure the safe startup of Unit 4 and marks the start of extensive testing ahead for the unit’s systems.
• Unit 3 Nuclear Fuel Receipt: The first nuclear fuel assemblies for Unit 3 arrived at the site in December.
• Unit 3 Condenser Vacuum Test: The test was conducted with the main turbine on turning gear and by operating supporting systems to establish the condenser vacuum, which is necessary to demonstrate the steam supply and water-cooling systems operate together and are ready to support hot functional testing and initial fuel load in the reactor.
• Completion of Unit 3 Cold Hydro Testing: Confirmed the reactor’s coolant system functions as designed and verified the welds, joints, pipes and other components of the coolant system and associated high-pressure systems do not leak when under pressure.

Once operating, officials said the two new units will be able to power more than 500,000 homes and businesses. More than 7,000 workers are involved in the project, which is the largest construction project in the state of Georgia.

The Vogtle expansion is the only major commercial nuclear power expansion project currently underway in the U.S.

Multi-billion dollar project a "go" for Georgia's Plant Vogtle The project had been plagued by delays and escalating costs for years.

Cox Media Group