Chalk River, Ontario: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) announced October 18 that it has released a summary report related to its Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) on small modular nuclear reactors.
The 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.
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. The authors explain that, 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 licensing 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.
For further information: Patrick Quinn, Director, Corporate Communications, CNL, 1-866-886-2325.
Small modular reactors are a type of nuclear fission reactor that are smaller than conventional reactors, and manufactured at a plant and brought to a site to be fully constructed. Modular reactors allow for less on-site construction, increased containment efficiency, and heightened nuclear materials security - Wikipedia.