Much more than simply electricity generation, SMRs can be part of diverse energy system which includes district heating, co-generation, energy storage, desalination, and hydrogen production among others. These traits are particularly attractive to remote off-grid applications in northern communities or industrial sites, such as mines, where consistent, reliable and low carbon, clean energy and heat is needed.
Canada has a proud track record in the design, construction, licence and operation of small reactors. In Whiteshell, we have had the WR-1, an organically cooled research reactor, as well as a SLOWPOKE reactor, another AECL design successfully deployed in universities and research institutions across the globe. In Chalk River, we can point to the ZEEP, NRX, NRU, PTR, and ZED-2 reactors as examples of success in first-of-a-kind deployment.
Local elected officials, industry representatives and other distinguished guests join leaders from AECL, CNL and GFP to celebrate the next......
Former Chair of the Northern and Remote Forum of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to provide CNL with consultation services......
The role of small modular reactor technology as clean energy option for Canada’s Arctic region discussed at annual Inuvik conference......
"We continue to believe that SMRs represent the future of clean energy here in Canada, and the CNRI program is moving us closer towards this vision.”
Canada has one of the world’s most promising domestic markets for SMRs. Conservative estimates place the potential value for SMRs in Canada at $5.3B between 2025 and 2040. Globally, the SMR market is much bigger, with a conservative estimated value of $150B between 2025 and 2040. This represents a large potential export market for Canada, which has already exported nuclear reactor technology to six other countries.
Canada has a window of opportunity to lead as it has all the necessary elements – a strong international brand, flexible and performance based regulator, world class nuclear laboratories and demonstration sites, a mature supply chain and domestic uranium mining industry, extensive nuclear operating experience, and strong science and technology in related areas (materials science, medicine, irradiation/sterilization, food safety).
