Cold weather causes Columbia nuclear power plant to shut down

• 7 years ago (2016-12-19)
• David Flin

Nuclear 640 Transmission 181

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Columbia nuclear power station in the state of Washington, USA, was shut down unexpectedly on 18 December. The operator, Energy Northwest, said that equipment malfunctioned at the Bonneville Power Administration’s Ashe Substation.

Cold weather caused the loss of the 500 kV line connecting the nuclear plant’s main output transformers to the substation. The plant’s output breakers separated the plant from any potential grid transients. Columbia’s operational staff then successfully stabilised the plant.

Bob Schuetz, Plant General Manager at Columbia, said: “It’s unfortunate that this happened while we were on our way to closing out what may still be a record generation year. The plant remains safe, and we anticipate being back on the grid once we have more thoroughly reviewed what caused the BPA transmission event.”