Global response to request for input demonstrates strong
interest in advancing Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology at
Canada's national nuclear
laboratory
CHALK RIVER, Ontario,
Oct. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/
-- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada's premier nuclear science and
technology organization, announced today that it has released a
summary report to its Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI)
on small modular reactors. This initiative yielded responses from
80 organizations around the world, including 19 expressions of
interest in siting a prototype or demonstration reactor at a CNL
campus. CNL launched the RFEOI this summer to gather feedback and
initiate a conversation on the potential for an SMR industry in
Canada, and the role CNL can play
in bringing SMR technology to market.
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Entitled Perspectives on Canada's SMR Opportunity, the report
summarizes responses from a broad range of stakeholders, including
SMR technology developers, potential end users, host communities,
supply chain companies and academic institutions. While submissions
came from a variety of organizations representing the feedback of a
diverse group of interested parties, there were areas of general
agreement, including the positive economic benefits to Canada, alignment with Canada's commitment to fight climate change,
important applications for remote communities, and the potential to
enhance nuclear safety through next-generation nuclear
technology.
"Based on the volume and quality of responses CNL received to
this RFEOI, it is clear there is enormous interest in establishing
an SMR industry in Canada, and in
testing the technology through a prototype reactor at a CNL site,"
commented Corey McDaniel,
Vice-President of Business Development and Commercial Ventures at
CNL. "The information we've received through this exercise has been
invaluable, giving us better visibility on the requirements for
SMRs to be successful in Canada,
and will help shape our program in the years ahead."
With respondents from across the globe, the breadth of
technologies proposed reinforces the need for ongoing research. The
designs featured enhanced safety systems and greater levels of
efficiency, many also propose novel fuel types and engineered
systems; these aspects will require intensive study and
investigation prior to licencing and ultimately deployment.
Responses to the report also explored the possibilities of SMR
technology beyond the generation of electricity. A
number of responses indicated interest in integrating SMRs as part
of a more diverse energy strategy, with applications as varied as
district heating, co-generation, energy storage, desalination, or
hydrogen production.
CNL issued the report during an industry-focused vendor
roundtable discussing SMR deployment on the margins of Natural
Resources Canada's Generation Energy Symposium in Winnipeg. Hosted by CNL and featuring
Kim Rudd, Parliamentary Secretary to
the Minister of Natural Resources, the event welcomed key
government and industry officials to a global discussion on the
obstacles and opportunities in deploying SMR technology in
Canada.
"The Government of Canada
recognizes the potential of SMRs to help us deliver on a number of
priorities, including innovation and climate change," said
Parliamentary Secretary Rudd.
CNL has identified SMRs as one of seven strategic initiatives
the company intends to pursue as part of its Long-Term Strategy,
with the goal of siting an SMR on its Chalk River site by 2026. The company is
working to demonstrate the commercial viability of SMRs and hopes
to position itself as a global leader in SMR prototype testing and
technology development support. The industry roundtable provided
CNL with the opportunity to discuss SMR development in greater
detail with a variety of stakeholders representing key areas of a
potential SMR industry in Canada.
"Canada is an ideal country in
which to establish the global SMR industry, with a domestic need
for the technology, a mature and robust regulatory environment, and
most importantly, with the facilities and expertise that CNL can
offer potential vendors," commented Kathy
McCarthy, Vice-President of Research and Development at CNL.
"However, it is critical that we fully understand the challenges in
SMR deployment, and that's why this RFEOI and roundtable are so
important. I'm pleased to say that the event was a resounding
success, and builds on the information we gathered through our
RFEOI."
CNL's summary report, which discusses the results of its RFEOI,
is now available to the public on its website at www.cnl.ca.
Upcoming Events:
CNL and Nuclear Energy Insider will co-host a webinar to discuss
and answer questions about the RFEOI Summary report on October 19 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. EST. To register visit:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8895064847801155586?source=CNL
CNL has partnered with Nuclear Energy Insider's
"International SMR and Advanced Reactor Summit 2018" in to
be held March 27-28 to continue the
discussion with an International Vendor Roundtable and dedicated
Canada SMR Track.
About CNL
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is a world leader in nuclear
science and technology offering unique capabilities and solutions
across a wide range of industries. Actively involved with
industry-driven research and development in nuclear,
transportation, clean technology, energy, defence, security and
life sciences, we provide solutions to keep these sectors
competitive internationally.
With ongoing investments in new facilities and a focused
mandate, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is well positioned for the
future. A new performance standard reinforced with a strong safety
culture underscores every activity.
For more information on the complete range of Canadian Nuclear
Laboratories services, please visit www.cnl.ca or contact
communications@cnl.ca.
For further information:
Patrick Quinn, Director, Corporate
Communications, CNL, 1-866-886-2325