Elliot Engineering provides nuclear power plant engineering for the electrical side of the plant. Our electrical power engineers handle the protection relaying, transformers, switchyard and grid connection that carry a nuclear unit’s power onto the transmission system.
The electrical principles at a nuclear plant match any large generating station. What changes are the stricter requirements for review and documentation, and we plan for those from the start. Our nuclear engineering services apply the same sound engineering practices we bring to every generating station, backed by accurate calculations and clear documentation.
Protection Relaying for Nuclear Generating Stations
System protection relaying is the core of our nuclear work. When a fault happens, the right relay needs to trip, and only that relay. A trip that shouldn’t happen takes a large unit offline. A trip that doesn’t happen can damage a generator or transformer that takes a long time to replace.
Our engineers develop, review and coordinate relay settings for the generator, step-up transformer, switchyard breakers and transmission lines so the whole system works together. We have experience with the major relay manufacturers, including Schweitzer, GE Multilin, Basler and ABB. Learn more about our protection and control services.
Studies, Compliance and Commissioning
Relay settings are only as good as the studies behind them. We perform short circuit, load flow, coordination and arc flash studies for generating stations, including the changes that come with plant uprates and new interconnections. See our planning and studies services.
Nuclear plants also carry NERC requirements other generators don’t, including NUC-001 for coordination between the plant and the transmission system. Our NERC compliance team supports the studies and documentation those standards require.
On the electrical side of nuclear power plant design, our design engineering and EPC team prepares switchyard and substation packages. Before anything is energized, our field team handles testing and commissioning to NETA standards.
FAQs
Does Elliot Engineering work on the reactor or steam cycle?
No. Steam generation and the turbines are mechanical systems. Our electrical power engineers start at the generator and handle protection relaying, transformers, the switchyard and the grid connection.
How is engineering for a nuclear plant different from other power plants?
The electrical principles are the same. The difference is the rules. Nuclear plants have added NERC requirements and stricter review, so every setting and study needs to be well documented.
Which NERC standards apply to nuclear plants?
Nuclear plants follow the same generator standards as other plants, plus NUC-001. That standard requires the plant and its transmission entities to agree on interface requirements, such as offsite power voltage limits.
Start Your Next Nuclear Power Plant Engineering Project
Offsite power studies, Class 1E electrical system design, and NERC NUC-001 interface reviews all call for engineers who understand how a plant’s safety-related power systems have to perform during a loss of offsite power, under NRC requirements and the plant’s licensing basis.
Contact us to discuss your project.
Specialized Services
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