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The technology is complex, but the basic premise is simple: make steam to turn a turbine that spins a generator to make electricity. The Susquehanna plant uses the energy released by splitting atoms to make steam. Click here to see an animated view of how it works.
The Susquehanna plant uses the energy of nuclear fission to make steam. The heat produced when uranium atoms are split causes water in the reactor to boil.
Steam produced in the reactor passes through turbines. Each turbine has rings of fan-like metal blades. As steam passes over the blades, the turbines turn very fast.
The turbines are connected to a generator, where an electromagnet spins inside a ring of copper wire to produce electricity.
When the steam has done its work, it is cooled, turning back into water that is pumped back into the reactor to begin the cycle all over again. | | 
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Visit the Susquehanna plant
If you are looking for a free, fun and educational activity for the family, stop at the Susquehanna Energy Information Center on Route 11.
The Information Center is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
As a corporation, and as individuals, we understand our responsibility to do the right thing. Read PPL's Corporate Responsibility Report. | |
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Bus tours available
The public is invited for free guided perimeter bus tours around PPL's Susquehanna power plant, offering a unique look at how the plant works and how it generates electricity reliably without fossil fuels or greenhouse gas emissions.
Tours last about 45 minutes. Guests meet at the Susquehanna Energy Information Center.
Stop in or call toll-free 1-866-832-3312 in advance to arrange a tour. Arrangements should be made in advance for large group tours. | |
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PPL chairman updates local leaders, donates $100,000 for flood recovery
Jim Miller, chairman of PPL Corporation, provided elected officials and community leaders an update on the Susquehanna power plant at an October meeting at the Berwick Golf Club. He opened his remarks by recognizing the hardships caused by the flooding in the area last September, expressing his appreciation for those helping to clean up and rebuild, and extending a donation of $100,000 from PPL for flood recovery efforts.
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Susquehanna’s Chief Nuclear Officer Tim Rausch discusses community needs with Joy McGinnis, CEO of the Berwick Area United Way. |
“Our thoughts have been with our PPL customers and plant neighbors who were affected by the recent spate of severe weather, including the flooding close to the Susquehanna plant,” Miller said. “PPL is fortunate to have solid support from the community for our nuclear operations. You have been there when we needed you. Now we are here when you need us,” he said.
Some of the money will be given to emergency response organizations that directly support the Susquehanna power plant. The remaining money will be given to the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation for distribution to fill other local needs.
The contribution is in addition to the $25,000 PPL donated to the American Red Cross for flood relief in communities along the Susquehanna River, donations of money and goods by PPL businesses and employees, and hundreds of hours volunteered by PPL Susquehanna employees for the cleanup effort.
Miller also provided an update on activities at the plant including the plant’s recent extended outages on both units to repair small cracks on some turbine blades. The small cracks were found during a routine inspection.
“Although we never like surprises, we perform thousands of inspections every outage for that very reason — to find little problems before they become bigger problems,” Miller said.
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How to apply for flood relief grants
The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation has received donations for flood recovery efforts from a number of sources. Learn more about who’s eligible and how to apply for relief from the foundation’s website at www.csgiving.org. |
During the outage, the plant completed a multiyear project to increase the amount of electricity it can safely generate by about 200 megawatts. Increasing the output of a proven, reliable and safe source of electricity generation is a very cost-effective way to meet the growth in electricity use.
Planned outages are an important part of the plant’s safety and reliability programs and positively affect the local economy. Each outage brings more than 1,000 additional workers who shop at local businesses, eat at local restaurants, and stay at local hotels.
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Children’s Owl Program
Join us on Saturday, Feb. 4 to learn all about owls at PPL’s Susquehanna Riverlands. There will be two times available for this program: 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m.
PPL’s Susquehanna Riverlands Supervisor John Fridman will present this program, geared to children ages 7-14 years old. John will discuss different adaptations that allow the owl to fly silently, detect prey and strike accurately in the darkness. Children will also have the opportunity to dissect an owl pellet.
Meet at PPL’s Susquehanna Riverlands Susquehanna Energy Information Center. Advanced registration is required. For more information or to register, please call 1-866-832-3312 or email pplpreserves@pplweb.com. For directions, please visit www.pplpreserves.com, click on “Susquehanna Riverlands” then select “Directions.”
Did you know PPL offers hundreds of free environmental education programs each year at its preserves? Keep track of what is going on in your area by following us on Twitter or check out the calendar of events at www.pplpreserves.com.
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Tim Rausch, PPL's chief nuclear officer, is a firm believer in the benefits of a strong relationship between the community and the Susquehanna nuclear power plant. "I appreciate the support we have in this community," Rausch said. "I also believe in giving back to the community. PPL and its employees have had a long history of being involved in these communities and that will continue."
A 25-year veteran of the nuclear power business who has worked at plants in New Jersey and Ohio, Rausch values support from plant neighbors, and how the plant and its employees contribute to the economic and social well-being of the community.
Rausch credits the employees of PPL Susquehanna for being a positive presence in the community, whether it's through United Way or volunteering with local charitable organizations, youth sports and scouting organizations. | |
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Joe Scopelliti, a 25-year veteran with PPL Corporation, is manager of community relations for the company's Susquehanna nuclear power plant near Berwick, Pa.
Scopelliti is chairman of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, the Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, the Berwick Rotary Club and the local American Nuclear Society chapter.
He is a past chairman of the Berwick Area Chamber of Commerce, past chairman of Faith United Evangelical Lutheran Church Council and past campaign chair for the Berwick Area United Way. | |
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