Turbine island progress at Olkiluoto 3

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Commissioning has begun for the turbine island systems for Finland's newest nuclear power station, Olkiluoto 3.

Olkiluoto 3's switchyard (Image: TVO)

According to utility Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO), mechanical installation work in the non-nuclear turbine island is almost complete, about 90% of final inspections have been carried out, and commissioning has begun in earnest.

The island has been connected to the 110 kV electrical supply network through the switchyard of the existing Olkiluoto nuclear power units. The next step will involve "back energizing" of the power supply system from the 400 kV distribution networks. Heikki Lukari, commissioning manager for the Olkiluoto 3 turbine island, explained that once back energizing has been achieved, a power supply will be available in the parts of the turbine island that consume power.

Commissioning tests have already been carried out on some of the turbine island systems including the ventilation and fire water systems. Systems that have already been tested are either in operation or in a standby state. The commissioning of the circulating water system, which will circulate cooling water to condense the steam from the low pressure turbine, is to take place over the coming year.

Okliluoto 3 is the first-of-a-kind EPR reactor, and is being built by a consortium of Areva and Siemens. Construction started on the plant in 2005, and TVO announced in December 2011 that it anticipates the plant to begin commercial operation in August 2014.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News