How Nuclear Energy Works

The technology is complex, but the basic premise is simple

Susquehanna uses the energy of nuclear fission to make steam, which ultimately becomes electricity

The energy released by splitting atoms is used to make steam which turns a turbine that spins a generator to make electricity.
  • 1

    Susquehanna uses the energy of nuclear fission to make steam. The heat produced when uranium atoms are split causes water in the reactor to boil.

  • 2

    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.

  • 3

    The turbines are connected to a generator, where an electromagnet spins inside a ring of copper wire to produce electricity.

  • 4

    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.