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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.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 4 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, Susquehanna Women in Nuclear chapter sponsor school science fairs
Students at two area schools participated in science fairs this spring sponsored by PPL and the Susquehanna chapter of Women in Nuclear.
In March, 30 kindergarten through fifth-grade students at Salem Elementary School displayed their projects for parents and classmates. Five lucky students won a random drawing to receive a science kit about electricity provided by PPL/WIN. Then in May, 95 students from Northwest Area School District competed for PPL/WINsponsored prizes at its science fair.
“It was a great opportunity for us to encourage students to explore different areas of science and let them share that knowledge with their peers,” said Susquehanna WIN President Victoria Dennis, a reactor operator at the Susquehanna nuclear plant.
“These science fairs are one of the many ways that Susquehanna plant employees reach out to local communities,” said Tim Rausch, senior vice president and chief nuclear officer. “We’re proud of the commitment they have to this area.”
The Susquehanna chapter of WIN was formed in 2002 to provide networking, mentoring and leadership development for its members, as well as provide nuclear industry education and outreach programs to the community, Dennis said. It is part of U.S. Women in Nuclear, a national organization open to women and men working in the fields of nuclear energy and radiation. |
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Rare ducks visit Riverlands
An extremely rare sight greeted visitors to PPL’s Susquehanna Riverlands recently: a cluster of about 10 very unusual ducks were lounging in the sun along the shores of Lake Took-A-While. Upon closer inspection, and after hurriedly consulting a field guide or two, Riverlands staff were fairly astounded to see that they were black-bellied whistling ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis).
"The reason for our astonishment is that black-bellies are an almost exclusively neotropical species,” said Clem McIntyre, Riverlands naturalist. “They winter in Mexico and Central America, and it is extremely rare that they venture farther into the United States than their summer habitat in southern Texas. So, these guys were nearly 2,000 miles north of their typical stomping grounds in the lone star state."
What brought them this far north? Are they escapees from a zoo or private collection? How long will they stay? Will they be back next year? Only the ducks know for certain, and they aren’t saying. But we sure are proud these wayward Texans found Pennsylvania’s Riverlands a tempting place to set a spell.
Y’all come back now, ya’ hear?
To see photos of the ducks, click here.
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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