Gas, coal and nuclear power stations, operated by FirstEnergy, have been prepared to meet high demand during the coming summer months. The National Weather Service has warned that most of the US will experience above-average temperatures from June through August 2016.
FirstEnergy owns or controls nearly 17,000 MW of generating capacity across Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, Virginia and Illinois. In summer 2015, these assets produced 24.5 million MWh of electricity.
To meet peak summer demand this year, FirstEnergy performed preventive maintenance work at its three nuclear facilities, six coal-fired and six gas and oil power plants. "We have invested thousands of hours completing summer preparation activities, and our plants are ready to meet customer needs as energy consumption rises along with the temperature," said Jim Lash, president, FirstEnergy Generation.
To prepare for warmer temperatures, plant operators inspect and perform maintenance on air conditioning, ventilation fans and other cooling systems; perform water treatments to prevent algae and zebra mussel growth in cooling towers and condensers; clear trenches and sumps in preparation for heavy rains; and closely monitor for severe weather.
Drone technology was used to inspect exterior piping and bolts at the Springdale Natural Gas Plant in Pennsylvania to ready the facility's environmental equipment for the summer operating period. At the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant in Ohio, two new 9,000-horsepower motors were installed to drive pumps providing 100,000 gallons of water per minute to the reactor.
Summer operation procedures are thoroughly reviewed and FirstEnergy will stay in close contact with PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator, to avoid scheduling plant maintenance work during periods of high electricity demand.