SMALL MODULAR REACTORS IN CANADA AND ADVANCED REACTORS PROGRAM AT CANADIAN NUCLEAR LABORATORIES

by Prof. Yetisir Metin (Canadian Nuclear Laboratory)

Monday 8 Apr 2019, 11:00 → 12:00 Europe/Zurich

OHSA/E13 (Paul Scherrer Institut)

Metin Yetisir, Ph.D., M. Eng.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) have emerged to be a promising alternative to large nuclear reactors and potential replacements for on- and off-grid fossil power plants. There are many proposed SMR designs using water, helium, sodium, lead, molten salt, etc. as coolants at various levels of technical maturity. Defying the long-held belief of economy of scale in nuclear power production, SMR proponents claim economic competitiveness of SMRs through modularity, factory-production and replication. Although, this claim is yet to be proven, more 50 SMR concepts have been developed worldwide. Some of these SMRs are now being constructed and becoming real.

In the past few years, Canada has attracted many private sector vendors developing SMRs that are based on well-known water-cooled reactor technologies as well as various advanced reactor technologies. There are many contributing factors that makes Canada an attractive place to deploy demonstration SMRs, such as the presence of a well-established nuclear regulator with a regulatory framework suitable for advanced reactors and novel technologies, many possible on-grid and off-grid applications dictated by large land area and rich natural resources at remote locations and willing hosts at various locations including two sites managed by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL). As well, Canada has an experienced supply chain and an active nuclear workforce through CANDU refurbishment activities, an established nuclear R&D at CNL and at Canadian universities, supportive provincial and federal governments driven by commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and interested power generation companies.

The presentation will cover the recent developments on SMRs and the role of CNL in the potential deployment of SMRs in Canada.

The leading SMRs proposed for Canada are based on advanced reactor concepts such as the Integral PWRs, molten salt reactors and high temperature gas-cooled reactors. As a result, CNL has been developing R&D capabilities in these rector technologies. The presentation will also include a high-level review of CNL’s R&D program on advanced reactors.

 

Acting Manager, Advanced Reactors, Energy Program
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories,
Adjunct Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University
Chalk River, On K0J 1J0