Nuclear Power

By reliably providing power 24 hours a day, nuclear energy is an important part of the energy mix necessary to meet electricity demand. And, with no carbon emissions, it will remain an important clean energy resource for the future.

For more than 50 years, Duke Energy has operated nuclear plants – setting industry benchmarks for safety and efficiency in the process. We employ redundant and diverse safety systems to protect the public, our employees and the environment.

Nuclear energy is produced by the splitting of uranium atoms in a process known as fission. This generates heat to produce steam, which is used by a turbine generator to generate electricity. Because nuclear power plants do not burn fuel, they do not produce greenhouse gas emissions.

Duke Energy’s McGuire, Oconee, Catawba, Robinson and Harris nuclear plants are pressurized reactor designs. Brunswick is a boiling water reactor design.

Pressurized Reactor

Pressurized water reactors (also known as PWRs) keep water under pressure so that it heats but does not boil. This heated water is circulated through tubes in steam generators. Water inside the steam generators circulates around these tubes and is heated into steam, which then turns the turbine generator. Water from the reactor and water that is turned into steam are in separate systems and do not mix.

Boiling Water Reactor

Boiling water reactors (also known as BWRs) use two separate water systems called “cycles.” Water is pumped through the reactor core, where a controlled nuclear reactor releases heat. The water inside the reactor vessel boils into superheated steam. This steam is then directed against the turbine blades to make the turbine and electric generator spin, producing electricity. The water from the reactor cycle never comes into direct contact with the plant’s other water systems and is contained within the reactor building and the turbine/generator building.