The Grand Gulf: The Largest Nuclear Power Plant in Mississippi - AZ Animals

The Grand Gulf: The Largest Nuclear Power Plant in Mississippi

Fuel, energy, power, electric – all terms we toss around lightly, often never thinking of what or where our energy sources come from. For many decades, nuclear power plants have created electricity for countries worldwide, generating heat through boiling water and driving steam through turbines. Most states in the United States have their own power plants – and each their largest. Today, we’ll take a look at the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Port Gibson, Mississippi, the state’s largest nuclear plant.

What is Nuclear Power and How Does it Work?

©CoolKengzz/Shutterstock.com

Working at an atomic level, nuclear energy is a form of power that is released from the nucleus or the core of an atom. This nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons. Either fission – when nuclei of atoms split – or fusion – when the nuclei fuse together – may be able to power nuclear energy. Power plants use fission to create the energy accessible for use by humans. This power is harnessed by the plants and used to create viable electricity.

Nuclear reactors reside within nuclear power plants, equipped with controls for containing and controlling the chain reactions within fission. At these cores, radioactive materials are at work, most commonly uranium-235. These materials create the heat required to power the plant and, in turn, create the steam from provided water. As steam is created, it channels through spin turbines, which in turn active the electric generators, creating low-carbon electricity.

Overview: The Largest Nuclear Power Plant in Mississippi – Grand Gulf Nuclear Station

©Justin Wilkens/Shutterstock.com

Located in Port Gibson, Mississippi, the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station is owned by System energy Resources, Inc., and uses a boiling water reactor to power the plant and therefore electric system in the area. The plant employes approximately 675 persons on a regular basis. The plant is situated on 2,100 acres of land outside the town of Port Gibson, with woodlands and two lakes on site, along with a 520-foot natural draft cooling tower.

Ranked at the 7th most powerful nuclear generator in the world and the most powerful in the USA, the Grand Gulf uses it core power of 4408 MWth (MegaWatt of Thermal output) to gross a nominal 1443 Mwe.

When Was the Largest Nuclear Power Plant in Mississippi Built?

©Justin Wilkens/Shutterstock.com

In 1985, the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station went online in July. The plant made history as it became the first and only nuclear power plant producing power in Mississippi. Later, in 2012, the plant made a huge power upgrade, making the plant the largest single-unit power plant in the nation and fifth largest in the world. The 2012 expansion was one of the largest of its kind in US history and increased energy production at the plant by more than 13%, helping to close the gap between increased consumption of energy and the lower production possible at the plant prior to the upgrade. The Grand Gulf continues to offer the most affordable power source in Mississippi.

How Much Energy Does the Largest Nuclear Power Plant in Mississippi Produce?

Upgrading the abilities of the plant in 2012 allows the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station to produce 1,443 megawatts of power.

Seismic Risk

According to the NRC study (Nuclear Regulatory Commission), the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station is at a risk annually of earthquake intense enough to cause core damage to the reaction as 1 in 83,333, as of 2020.

Animal Life Around the Grand Gulf

©Florida Fish and Wildlife / flickr – License

Wildlife remains abundant around the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station. Something like 53 species of mammals may be found in the area, including

- Hoary bats
- White-tailed deer
- Raccoons
- Spotted skunks
- Virginia opossums
- Eastern chipmunks
- Bobcats
- Black bears

Many reptiles, including alligators, snakes, and lizards, are known to inhabit the area immediately and nearby.

Human Population Around the Plant

Within 10 miles of the plant, as of 2010, the human population has decreased by 18.6%. Within 50 miles, the population only dropped by 0.4% in the same decade. Human populates congregate in Port Gibson, about 5 miles from the plant, Vicksburg (25 miles), Natchez, Brookhaven, Jackson, Clinton, Pearl, Ridgeland, Madison, Yazoo City, and Brandon – all within 94 miles of the plant.

What Threats do Nuclear Power Plants Pose to Humans and the Environment?

Uncontrolled nuclear reactions result in widespread contamination of water, ground water, and air.

Risks of this kind of contamination are deemed low, thanks to the diverse and redundant barriers and safety measures in place at any given power plant. Excessive skills and training are also required for anyone working in such a power plant, also reducing the risk for these dangers. Testing, maintenance, and continual training with significant oversight help to maintain safety regulations. High accessibility restrictions around the plant with security teams in place also help. Containment vessels built to withstand extreme weather and earthquakes also help to guard the facilities against natural disasters.

Unlike fossil fuel powered facilities, nuclear power plants do not produce carbon dioxide emissions or air pollution. The process of mining for and refining uranium, however, require huge amounts of energy. The building of the plants themselves also require this immense output of energy. Quite often, it is fossil fueled operations that power these construction and mining processes.

Additionally, nuclear power plants create radioactive waste. This is the primary environmental concern in most folks’ minds, regarding nuclear power. Proper disposal is excessively difficult and any time proper disposal does not occur, the environment and nearly all living creatures are in danger within many miles for up to thousands of years.

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