What is the purpose of a steam turbine in nuclear power plants?

The heat produced in the reactor is converted to steam and drives the turbine. The turbine converts thermal energy into mechanical energy, which is then converted into electrical power by the generator and supplied to the grid.

What is a DCS and why is it important for nuclear power plants?

A distributed control system or DCS is an automated control system that monitors and regulates industrial processes through multiple spatially distributed controllers. In contrast to centralized control concepts, DCS distributes tasks to different areas of the plant. This increases reliability and enables precise real-time control of complex processes.

Why is service especially important in a nuclear power plant?

Service is especially important in a nuclear power plant because it ensures the long-term reliability, efficiency, and safety of critical systems. In the conventional island, proactive maintenance of turbines, generators, and balance-of-plant components can recover performance losses and prevent costly outages.

Steam turbines for nuclear power plants

Key fact of nuclear power - timeline from the 1960s until today

Key fact nuclear power - control system with display and hardware connected to nuclear power plant

Finland with a stylized illustration of Olkilutoto OL3 next to it

Our comprehensive portfolio includes rotating equipment (generators and steam turbines for nuclear power plants), components and systems for the "conventional island" as well as qualified operational DCS, Power-to-Grid, eBOP and back-up power solutions. With a focus on long-term service support and advanced technologies that are intended to meet the highest safety and quality standards, we are committed to providing reliable and sustainable solutions.

With decades of experience in the nuclear industry, we have become established as a trusted partner for all of those involved in this sector.

Graphic of a nuclear power plant, key visual

Our tailored steam turbine portfolio is designed to meet the unique demands of the nuclear sector, earning us a reputation as a reliable partner. We focus on the conventional power island, and supporting reactor developers with our experience with power plant design, backed by the extensive nuclear heritage of Siemens KWU, Westinghouse, and Parsons. Our rich legacy of more than 50 years enables us to provide tailor-made solutions that cater to the distinctive needs of nuclear power plants.

Detailed diagram of the nuclear and the conventional island of a nuclear power plant; Siemens Energy provides only the conventional island components.

Rendering of a SST-800 steam turbine for small modular reactors (SMR).

SST-8000 steam turbine rendering with a cut section showing the insides of the LP turbines

Additionally, our service offerings encompass long term maintenance programs for new build projects as well as the life extension, recommissioning, and modernization of existing nuclear facilities, which help to provide their safety, reliability, and efficiency with a wide array of services. Our modernization solutions for the steam turbine and generator components include heat rate and power output improvements as well as extended component maintenance inspection intervals.

Power Islands for Small Modular Reactors

Explore Siemens Energy’s SMR solutions for rotating equipment, control systems, eBOP, and grid integration supporting advanced nuclear projects.

Power islands for SMRs white paper preview on iPad

We offer the following components for nuclear power plants:

Steam turbine set: steam turbine generator set, auxiliary systems
Water-steam-cycle (condensers, MSRs, pre-heaters/vessels, pumps, pump drives)
Distributed control system (DCS)/instrumentation & controls (I&C): qualified operational DCS, turbine controls, BoP and auxiliary control, unit controls, cyber security
Electrical balance of plant (eBoP): Electrical protection systems, Excitation systems
Back-up power/alternative use cases: aeroderivative gas turbines, diesel, batteries, electrolyzers
Power to grid transmission/distribution: HV, MV, LV, transformers and switch gears

Rendering of a SST-9000 steam turbine used in large nuclear plants

Photograph of a Service LP Turbine rotor

Nuclear Plant Modernizations

Extend the lifetime of your conventional power island with steam turbine and generator modernizations.

Key visual SST-9000 / steam turbine for nuclear power plant

Rendering of a generator used in nuclear power plants

A pictures shows two Service people using the Omnivise control system

Key visual for service offerings - 2 people looking at a display in front of an energy landscape

SMRs are significantly smaller than conventional nuclear reactors. They can be prefabricated in a factory and transported to the site. The exact size varies depending on the design and power output, but generally, they occupy only a fraction of the space required by a conventional reactor. Let’s assume an SMR requires only about 0.01 square kilometers, that is less than two soccer pitches. However, they are not small enough to fit in a backyard. As a comparison: A conventional nuclear power plant requires about 1 to 2 square kilometers, that’s approximately 140 to 280 football pitches.

No, the output is not identical. Most SMR designs generate between 200 to 300 MW of energy. There are also plans for larger SMRs in the 400-500 MW range, such as those being developed by Rolls-Royce SMR in collaboration with Siemens Energy. In contrast, a conventional nuclear power plant typically has a capacity of about 1 Gigawatt (GW), making SMRs about two to five times smaller in output.

The control technology in a nuclear power plant includes all essential components and systems for monitoring, controlling and regulating the reactor conditions and the associated facilities. It is the central, redundantly secured system that measures, controls and regulates all relevant reactor and plant parameters through sensors, actuators, controls and interfaces in order to ensure safe, stable and efficient operation of the nuclear power plant.

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Steam turbine solutions for nuclear power plants

Overview of Siemens Energy expertise in nuclear energy

Tailored turbine island solutions for large-scale nuclear plants and small modular reactors

Power Islands for Small Modular Reactors

Our components portfolio for nuclear power plants

Our services for nuclear steam turbines and generators

Nuclear Plant Modernizations

Are you interested in our portfolio for nuclear power plant solutions?

Steam turbines

Generators

Instrumentation & Controls

Modernization & upgrades for utility steam turbines

Service offerings

Get answers: FAQs on steam turbines for nuclear power plants

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Steam turbine solutions for nuclear power plants

Overview of Siemens Energy expertise in nuclear energy

Tailored turbine island solutions for large-scale nuclear plants and small modular reactors

Power Islands for Small Modular Reactors

Our components portfolio for nuclear power plants

Our services for nuclear steam turbines and generators

Nuclear Plant Modernizations

Are you interested in our portfolio for nuclear power plant solutions?

Steam turbines

Generators

Instrumentation & Controls

Modernization & upgrades for utility steam turbines

Service offerings

What is the purpose of a steam turbine in nuclear power plants?

How small are SMRs? Can they fit in a backyard?

Is the output of an SMR comparable to that of a conventional nuclear power plant?

What is a DCS and why is it important for nuclear power plants?

What does control technology in a nuclear power plant include?

Why is service especially important in a nuclear power plant?

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Get in touch with us

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