Staff Report
Published May 23, 2012

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLC has shut down the huge 1950s-era coal-fired power plant in the D-Area Powerhouse after decades of service at the Savannah River Site.

At one time, this coal-powered facility was capable of generating 75 million watts of power, enough electricity to support the entire city of Aiken. But the 280,000-square-foot, five-story building now is being prepared for deactivation.

The combined experience of these three SRNS D-Area Powerhouse employees is 83 years. Standing near a boiler unit are, from left: Steve Cooper, maintenance supervisor; Robert Dicks, control room operator; and Ren Hatfield, deputy operations manager. (Photo/Provided)

“Recent startup of three new wood-chip burning, biomass steam plants at SRS means we no longer need this facility, but I humbly thank the mechanics and operators whose skill, dedication, and creativity kept this facility operating for nearly 60 years,” said Karen Guevara, assistant manager for infrastructure and environmental stewardship, Department of Energy-Savannah River.

In the late 1950s, nine powerhouses and steam plants were operating across the 310-square-mile nuclear reservation. All were small in size compared to the mammoth D-Area facility whose four giant boilers required the withdrawal, and later return, of approximately 35-45 million gallons of water each day from the nearby Savannah River.

The steam produced within D Area was used throughout the site for industrial- and process-related needs. At its peak, three of the facility’s four boiler units, each standing more than 100 feet in height, individually produced about 350,000 pounds of steam per hour.

According to Dwayne Wilson, SRNS president and CEO, the financial and environmental benefits gained with the shutdown of the D-Area Powerhouse include the elimination of approximately 160,000 tons of coal purchased each year and the annual reduction of 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

“I can remember being hired on at the plant site back in the 1980s as a coal handler in D Area,” said Wayne Gleaton, SRNS utility and services operations manager. “First thing I said was, ‘I didn’t know SRS had a coal mine.’ My supervisor laughed and said, ‘We don’t. You won’t be digging coal. You’ll be unloading coal from railroad cars.’”

D Area was operated for 59 years by three generations of largely local employees, which supplied reliable power and steam to SRS facilities with almost zero outages.

"I've worked in D Area for over 20 years and have always been impressed by the people here wanting to go the extra mile to keep the plant running," said Brad Harrelson, D Area Maintenance. "I'm leaving behind many good friends and taking with me many fond memories."

“Through Enterprise SRS, SRNS employees are committed to creating safe, innovative, effective solutions for SRS, the nation and the world,” Wilson said. “We offer knowledge and expertise to make the future of our site and country secure, energy independent and environmentally responsible. The safe deactivation of this once vital support facility is another step in that direction.”

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLC is a Fluor partnership comprising Fluor, Newport News Nuclear and Honeywell, responsible for the management and operations of the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site, including the Savannah River National Laboratory, located near Aiken.