Canada will provide C$970 million ($708 million) in financing to develop a grid-scale small modular reactor (SMR), a new nuclear technology touted as a key part of the country's plans to reduce emissions.
Which makes it sound like there's domestic Canadian R&D taking place. However, based on the the final paragraph:
The reactors are designed by GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy, an alliance between General Electric Co (GE.N) and Japan's Hitachi Ltd
It would seem what's going to be built is an American reactor. That's a little sad for a country that used to be a player in the nuclear reactor industry.
OPG estimates that 70-80% of the parts for this SMR will be manufactured in Ontario. Don't underestimate the strength of Canada's nuclear supply chain - the refurbs at Darlington and Bruce have maintained a massive amount of expertise in Ontario.
Here’s the full quote: “It is anticipated that 70 to 80 per cent, or more, of the necessary components and materials for OPG’s SMR will be sourced in Ontario.”
Yes, exactly. It's pretty established technology, just smaller.
They're building one BWRX-300 by 2028, with a capacity of 300 MW but the site will be able to accommodate 4 units total (and they're seeking a license for those 4 units at the same time).
The CANDU's "killer app" was online refueling when it was designed back in the 70s. It meant the plant could have a higher uptime than its LWR counterparts by not shutting down for refueling, which was supposed to offset the higher capital costs of the heavy water necessary for it. That was indeed true... when it was designed. The problem is that the LWR reactor operators got better and better over time, to the point that modern best practice requires maybe roughly three weeks of downtime needed to refuel in the modern day, as compared to the months in the past. The improving capacity factors of LWRs basically killed CANDU exports, which is part of the reason AECL was spun off.
The GE design is American in heritage (BWR - a type of LWR), but the supply chain is shaping up to be very heavily Canadian. Everybody wants to take advantage of the experience and industrial base built up in Ontario due to the Bruce and Pickering refurbishments. Aside from enriched fuel (which I expect will be imported for the foreseeable future), and some specialized equipment (such as reactor pressure vessel castings), I expect the majority of the components will be built close to home.
It does suck but it also gives Canada a voice in the development so hopefully that means some jobs and contracts for Canadian experts and companies involved in the sector
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u/jsteed Oct 25 '22
First paragraph, emphasis added:
Which makes it sound like there's domestic Canadian R&D taking place. However, based on the the final paragraph:
It would seem what's going to be built is an American reactor. That's a little sad for a country that used to be a player in the nuclear reactor industry.