Georgia Power completes Condenser Vacuum Testing on Vogtle Unit 3

On December 14, 2020, Georgia Power announced the completion of the pre-operational condenser vacuum test of the Vogtle Unit 3 turbine system. The milestone marks another step for the Vogtle 3 & 4 nuclear expansion project towards operations and providing customers with a clean, carbon-free energy source for the next 60 to 80 years.  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.  The condenser is part of the plant’s turbine system, separate from the nuclear reactor, that liquifies steam to be reused after its passes through the high- and low-pressure turbines to power a generator and produce electricity. The condenser vacuum test required multiple systems, including circulating water, condensate, auxiliary steam, and condenser air removal, to be operated in an integrated manner after having been successfully tested individually.  In preparation for this milestone, the turbine was previously tested and rotated on its turning gear to verify it was assembled with quality and as designed. The main turbine system consists of one high-pressure turbine and three low-pressure turbines.  Once operational, the turbine will rotate at 1,800 revolutions per minute, propelled by steam produced by the unit’s two steam generators using heat transferred from the nuclear reactor. The turbine blades turn the generator rotor to produce electricity.