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The Atomic Show #075 – Ted Rockwell, Atomic Pioneer, tells Shippingport Atomic Power Station Story

ByRod Adams

Ted Rockwell has been there and done that when it comes to nuclear power plant design and construction. He was a key member of the team that built the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, the first solely commercial nuclear electric generating station in the world.

On December 18, 1957, the Shippingport Atomic Power Station started supplying electricity to the Duquesne Light Company grid. By 7:00 am, it was producing 12,000 kilowatts of electrical power, enough to power about 12,000 homes. That development of that power station established an entire industry and led to the construction of more than 300 Pressurized Water Reactors that together produce about as much energy each day for global consumers as all of the oil exported by Saudi Arabia.

On December 18, 2007, I had the opportunity to have an hour long chat with Dr. Theodore (Ted) Rockwell, one of the key players on the team that designed and built the pioneering reactor. He provides us with a lot of insight into the exciting work and dedicated people who produced a reliable plant just 4.5 years after being initially assigned to the task.

Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

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Rod Adams
Rod Adams

Rod Adams is Managing Partner of Nucleation Capital, a venture fund that invests in advanced nuclear, which provides affordable access to this clean energy sector to pronuclear and impact investors. Rod, a former submarine Engineer Officer and founder of Adams Atomic Engines, Inc., which was one of the earliest advanced nuclear ventures, is an atomic energy expert with small nuclear plant operating and design experience. He has engaged in technical, strategic, political, historic and financial analysis of the nuclear industry, its technology, regulation, and policies for several decades through Atomic Insights, both as its primary blogger and as host of The Atomic Show Podcast. Please click here to subscribe to the Atomic Show RSS feed. To join Rod's pronuclear network and receive his occasional newsletter, click here.

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