Wolf Creek returns to service
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 03:07 p.m., May 15, 2008
Updated 03:07 p.m., May 15, 2008
Burlington — Wolf Creek Generation Station near Burlington is back online after its 16th maintenance and refueling outage.
The plant went off-line on March 17. On Wednesday afternoon, the plant went back online after the output breakers were closed and it began producing electricity.
“The work we do during refueling outages not only replaces used fuel but also accomplishes maintenance that is critical to the continued reliability of the plant,” said Matt Sunseri, vice-president of operations and plant manager. “Our team worked safely and diligently through Refuel 16 to ensure the plant is ready to run through the next operating cycle.”
Activities completed during the outage were disassembly and maintenance work on the main generator.
“Once the unit is producing power, personnel will take measurements to determine whether it is necessary to balance the rotating portion of the main generator,” a press release stated. “If balance is needed, the plant will come off line so the work can be performed.”
Balancing will take about two days if needed and is not uncommon after maintenance work.
Also during refueling, 84 of the 193 fuel assemblies were replaced in the reactor core and thousands of other projects were completed.
According to a press release, power output will increase at a rate of about 3 percent an hour until the plant is back at full power. When operating at 100 percent, the plant produces 1,235 megawatts.