Breaker-to-Breaker Runs
3 runs
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Breaker-to-breaker runs measure continuous operation between refueling outages using a cycle-adjusted threshold (90% of cycle length minus RFO duration). An active streak means the unit has been running continuously since the last refueling with no trips to 0% power.
Dresden 2 has logged 3 breaker-to-breaker runs, continuous stretches from one refueling to the next with no trip to zero power. Its longest ran 711 days, and its runs average 702 days.
711
Best Run (days)
D2R28 (2023-11-16) → D2R29 (2025-10-27)
All Runs
| 2023-11-16 |
2025-10-27 |
711 days |
D2R28 → D2R29 |
| 2015-11-20 |
2017-10-30 |
710 days |
D2R24 → D2R25 |
| 2009-12-02 |
2011-10-17 |
684 days |
D2R21 → D2R22 |
About This Site
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Written by NukeWorker from public records: facts that do not change. Operator, status and capacity come from the live data elsewhere on this page. Sources: Wikipedia: Dresden Generating Station.
Dresden Generating Station is a three-unit nuclear plant in Goose Lake Township, Grundy County, Illinois, near Morris, where the Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers meet to form the Illinois River.
Read more
Commonwealth Edison contracted with General Electric in 1955 for Dresden 1, which began construction on May 1, 1956, and is described as the first privately financed nuclear power plant built in the United States. It was first connected to the grid on April 15, 1960, and permanently shut down on October 31, 1978. Dresden 2 began construction on January 10, 1966, and Dresden 3 on October 14, 1966. Unit 2 was connected to the grid on April 13, 1970, and Unit 3 on July 22, 1971. Both are boiling water reactors.
Facility Statistics
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Key performance and lifecycle metrics calculated from NRC operational data. Includes operating age, construction timeline, capacity factor, efficiency, generation totals, and reliability records.
Dresden 2 has operated for about 56.4 years and averaged a 93% lifetime capacity factor, generating roughly 199.5 TWh of electricity. Its longest unbroken run reached 733 days.
Lifecycle & Tenure
Operating Age: 56.4 Yrs
Build Time: 4.4 Yrs
Lic. Remaining: 23.2 Yrs
Production & Power
Lifetime CF: 93%
Efficiency: 30.5%
Generated: 199.5 TWh
Reliability & Outages
Record Run: 733 Days
Refuelings: 14
Avg Startup: 5 Days
Ownership & Construction
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The utility or company that owns and operates the facility, the architect-engineer responsible for plant design, and the primary construction contractor. Click names to view all facilities by that entity on the map.
Ownership, operation and management history
| Date | Change |
From | To |
| Oct 20, 2000 |
Merger |
Commonwealth Edison (Unicom) |
Exelon |
| Feb 1, 2022 |
Spin-off |
Exelon |
Constellation Energy |
CEG
Constellation Energy Corporation
NasdaqGS
$270.57
▲ +11.73 (+4.53%)
Previous Close
258.84
Day's Range
263.12 – 273.21
52-Week Range
228.63 – 406.04
Volume
2,367,383
Operational Excellence Score Subscribers
Dresden 2 is rated 0 to 100 on how well it actually runs, scored against every other operating reactor in the US fleet from its own operating record. Subscribers see the score, the three sub-scores behind it, and each of the seven measured inputs.
- This unit's composite score and fleet rank
- Reliability, Efficiency and Discipline sub-scores
- All seven measured inputs, with fleet percentiles
- Rank against comparable units, not just the fleet
- Three-year, five-year and lifetime windows
- Five-year trend, and every other operating US reactor
Scram History
7 events since 2011
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Automatic and manual reactor scram (emergency shutdown) events reported to the NRC since 2011. Includes event dates, trip type, and average recovery time. Click the title to view the full fleet scram dashboard.
Dresden 2 has recorded 7 reactor scrams, or emergency shutdowns, since 2011 (5 automatic, 2 manual). On average the unit was back to full power about 8 days after each trip.
Recent Events
| 2026-09-03 |
Manual |
MANUAL REACTOR TRIP The following information was provided b... |
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| 2022-07-12 |
Auto |
AUTOMATIC REACTOR SCRAM DUE TO TURBINE TRIP ON HIGH REACTOR ... |
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| 2019-05-09 |
Auto |
AUTOMATIC REACTOR SCRAM DUE TO TURBINE TRIP"On May 9, 2019 a... |
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| 2015-02-06 |
Auto |
AUTOMATIC REACTOR SCRAM DUE TO LOSS OF FEEDWATER "At 1227 CS... |
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| 2015-01-13 |
Manual |
UNIT 2 MANUAL REACTOR SCRAM DUE TO REACTOR WATER LEVEL TRANS... |
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| 2014-05-03 |
Auto |
AUTOMATIC REACTOR SCRAM DUE TO GENERATOR/TURBINE LOAD MISMAT... |
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| 2014-04-12 |
Auto |
AUTOMATIC REACTOR SCRAM DUE TO TRANSFORMER SUDDEN PRESSURE R... |
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Technical Specs
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Reactor design specifications including type (PWR/BWR), containment design, nuclear steam supply system manufacturer, thermal and electrical power ratings, and current operational status.
Turbine Supplier:
GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. IAEA
Thermal Power:
2957 MWt
Net Capacity:
902 MWe
Gross Capacity:
950 MWe IAEA
Design Capacity:
794 MWe IAEA
Efficiency:
30.5%
Lifetime Output:
307.8 TWh through 2025 IAEA
Licensing
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NRC licensing history including docket number, license type and number, construction permit date, operating license issuance, commercial operation date, license renewal, and expiration date.
Docket #:
05000237
License #:
DPR-19
License Type:
OL-FP
Const. Permit:
1966-01-10
Construction Start:
1966-01-10 IAEA
Operating Lic:
1969-12-22
First Criticality:
1970-01-07 IAEA
Grid Connection:
1970-04-13 IAEA
Commercial Op:
1970-06-09
License Renewed:
2025-12-16
License Exp:
2049-12-22
Market & Region
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EIA market and grid-region classifications: NERC reliability region, U.S. Census region, balancing authority responsible for grid operations, and whether the unit operates as a rate-regulated utility or a competitive merchant generator. Hover any value for the full name.
NERC Region:
RFC
— Reliability First Corporation
Census Region:
ENC
— East North Central
Balancing Authority:
PJM
— PJM Interconnection (ISO/RTO)
Market Structure:
Merchant
— Competitive generator selling into wholesale markets