“Siemens Energy is leading the way, able to provide steam turbines to nearly every type of nuclear power facility.”

After nearly two decades of essentially flat power demand in the United States, the country has seen increasing demand for energy. The rise of data centers, reshoring of manufacturing, and electrification of cars and other equipment are driving the upward trend, further underpinning the importance of having sufficient new sources of stable low-emissions electricity.

“We need all sources of energy to meet this growing need,” said Chris Ferraro, Vice President of Nuclear Sales in North America for Siemens Energy.

Nuclear energy is experiencing a renaissance as countries seek stable, zero-carbon-emission electricity generation to meet the surging electricity demand.

“Significant governmental support of nuclear energy in the U.S. is driving lifetime extensions, restarts of decommissioned reactors, and subsequent new build programs ahead of the rest of the world,” said Ferraro.

Nuclear energy is a proven technology that has provided electricity and heat to communities for over 70 years. Nuclear power plants operate around the clock for nearly 2 years before needing to be taken offline for a short routine maintenance and refueling period. Recent innovations, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), are advancing rapidly, with the first commercial projects expected around 2030. ​

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Powering the Next-Generation Technology of Nuclear 

Ferraro emphasized that Siemens Energy steam turbines can be integrated with nearly all the leading reactor developers’ steam cycles, ranging from 25-MW SMRs up to 1200-MW+ conventional nuclear power plants.

Siemens Energy is actively supporting partnerships with key SMR developers in the U.S. and Europe to bring the next-generation nuclear power plants to life.

“We do more than just provide steam turbines or stand-alone equipment,” Ferraro said. “We're co-developing a lot of the equipment around the turbine island with our partners. We’re optimizing the whole power cycle to help get the cost down and efficiency and power production up.” Siemens Energy partnerships help each company scale and bring technology to market for the lowest cost to the future owners, but also to electricity ratepayers.

The Central Role of Siemens Energy in the Nuclear Renaissance

“There is no nuclear renaissance without steam turbines,” Ferraro said. “Siemens Energy is leading the way, able to provide steam turbines to nearly every type of nuclear power facility.”

He explained that upgrading an existing nuclear power plant is one of the fastest and least expensive ways to add bulk power — more than just a couple megawatts — to the grid. It takes as little as 18 months to manufacture the equipment.

What role do steam turbines play in a nuclear power plant? Nuclear fission heats the water in the reactor core, producing high-pressure steam. This is sent via pipe to a steam turbine, and the steam causes the turbine blades to spin. This drives a generator, which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. 

Siemens Energy is working closely with Holtec International to restart the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan. The plant was shut down in 2022, but with the recent increase in electricity demand, Holtec aims to restart the facility before the end of 2025. 

As the original equipment manufacturer for Palisades’ steam turbines and generators, Siemens Energy has serviced these assets for decades. Their work to bring the site back online includes site assessment, equipment refurbishment, and upgrades to the steam turbines and generators. These efforts will improve plant efficiency by generating more power from the existing reactor.

–Chris Ferraro, Vice President of Nuclear Sales in North America for Siemens Energy. 

Experience, Scale, and U.S. Presence

With more than a century of steam turbine expertise, Siemens Energy powers roughly half of the U.S. nuclear fleet. Beyond steam turbines, the company offers a full suite of solutions, such as gas turbines, controls, instrumentation, and long-term service contracts, that help customers modernize plants to the latest safety codes and standards.

Siemens Energy’s Charlotte, North Carolina, facility offers domestic manufacturing and repair of steam turbines and generators. The company employs about 12,000 people in the U.S. and is continuing to grow its domestic manufacturing and service capabilities. 

“We have the experience in manufacturing these complex machines,” Ferraro said. “We have the technology. We have a deep understanding of what it takes to support the nuclear power industry. We've invested heavily in our products and, more importantly, our people to maintain that competency.”

“In a time that requires ‘all of the above’ energy sources,” Ferraro said, “Siemens Energy supports the nuclear renaissance alongside other electricity generation sources.”

by Joy Drohan

Siemens Energy a key player in the nuclear comeback

“Restarting Palisades, which was previously decommissioned without plans for reactivation, represents a significant milestone,” Ferraro said. “It has never been done before in the United States. We are pleased to contribute to this important project, and we remain committed to returning Palisades to operational status. Upon completion, the plant will provide 800 megawatts of clean energy back onto the grid, an achievement we can all be proud of.”

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