Stored Energy Actuators: The Most Cost-effective and Reliable Solution for Nuclear Power Plants

For more than 30 years, gate valves equipped with stored energy actuators have been the safest, most reliable way to close main steam isolation valves.

Nuclear plant operators looking to decrease operational costs and increase plant safety should consider a stored energy actuator to ensure the best efficiency at their facility. Stored energy actuators have a lower purchase price and are more energy efficient, while being more reliable than earlier main steam isolation valve (MSIV) actuators.

In the past, some nuclear plants used large, low-pressure actuators to close the equally large main steam isolation valves. These large actuators were expensive to purchase, install and maintain. Using smaller, high-pressure stored energy actuators to close valves minimizes costs and guarantees best total reliability at facilities. The design of stored energy actuators is constantly being improved to reduce maintenance, increase performance and functionality, support new nuclear plant designs and comply with changing nuclear standards.  

To learn more about why stored energy actuators remain the most cost-effective and reliable solution for nuclear power plants, check out the Stored energy actuators: Still meeting demands of nuclear plants article featured in Power Engineering International.