This is the panicky scenario sometimes visualized when the word decommissioning is uttered. Actually, decommissioning isnt new, nor should it present a particularly alarming prospect. Decommissioning simply means removal of a facility from operation and operational regulation. It has been used in many venues, including naval operations and various commercial pursuits.
Current interest is generated by concern for the fate of nuclear power stations.
There is already a considerable body of experience with shutting down such facilities. Most of them were used for multiple purposes such as training, research or demonstration of a particular design concept. All of them produced commercial electric power. They operated at power levels from five to 265 megawatts, averaging 60 megawatts. All of the lessons learned from these efforts are available for application to the 1,000 megawatt plants that are currently being operated.