The Voice - Summer 2021 - 52

INDUSTRY
Side-by-Side Commitment a Big Step
From a design perspective, SMRs involve many engineering
disciplines, not just nuclear. In fact, only about 15 per cent of the
SMR construction involves nuclear engineers. To support this
effort, GEH is recruiting materials, instrumentation and controls,
civil, electrical, fuels and structural engineers, among others.
All of these engineering disciplines play an important part in
SMR design and construction -- from the beginning of the project
throughout the plant lifecycle.
Today, cross-functional engineering cooperation has led to
SMR breakthroughs and innovation. Working with a diverse
engineering team also means finding exciting new ways to work,
completing early conceptual design in parallel with digital
modeling. We can simulate how systems are going to perform
with a digital twin as we are creating the design. Thirty years
ago, we could not do that. It was very much an iterative design
process where we came up with an idea, modeled it, then took
years to understand by testing how it would perform. Now, we
can do almost all of that virtually and in parallel.
On top of that, we are using additive manufacturing
technologies to build prototypes that include many of the
components of the plant. This allows engineers to better visualize
and understand how the pieces will fit together.
The result of this engineering cooperation is that we can look at
technologies used in other industries and then apply them in this
industry that has been around for more than half a century. Our
engineers are helping us to cost-effectively simplify the design.
A Safe and Innovative Design
It is noteworthy that the deployment of nuclear energy using
large water-cooled reactors has been hampered by the public's
concerns about long-lived radioactive fuel wastes, radioactive
releases following major equipment failures, weapon proliferation
and recent cost over-runs for large nuclear projects in developed
countries. However, SMR technology developers have proposed
several design versions, each with a combination of features
that addresses those public concerns. Some SMR designs can
also meet the various needs of residents in different geographies
including dense cities, suburban areas, rural areas and even
remote areas with no access to an electric grid.
SMRs can be designed to be passively safe - meaning they will
shut down without human intervention or external power sources
if major equipment failures occur. This effectively eliminates
large off-site radioactive releases following major equipment
failures. This passive feature has been demonstrated at research
facilities in the United States.
Some SMR designs can be fueled from recycled spent fuel from
other reactors. These SMRs can reduce the existing nuclear fuel
stockpiles by about 100 times less volume and 1,000 times shorter
storage duration.
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THE VOICE June 2021
Great time for Nuclear in Canada
Going back to the original intention of the Roadmap - fostering
innovation and establishing a long-term vision for the Canadian
nuclear industry.
The Roadmap states, " 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. "
This SMR value could come from affordable, non-emitting
energy, supplying power to homes, offices and businesses. SMRs
could even provide process heat for industrial applications,
produce clean fuels such as battery charging or hydrogen for
transport or to power remote communities and mines.
From an infrastructure standpoint, the energy industry will
build, fuel and service reactors in more factorylike conditions.
Economies of scale will be achieved in the design and reactors
may be standardized. Designs could be simplified, adding inherent
safety characteristics. SMRs could also be located underground,
further increasing security. They can even be integrated with
other forms of energy, such as hybrid nuclear-renewable energy
systems.
In the not-too-distant future, Ontario could become the leader
of SMR technologies on a global scale. However, Ontario must
act now to reap the promise of environmental, financial and
employment benefits. GEH's SMR is projected to be operational
in just seven years. It can take unproven technologies decades to
come online.
Going Forward
Ontario can solidify its position as a global nuclear energy leader
and SMRs will play a big role in that success. The Roadmap
sums it up: " 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). "
Time is of the essence to meet Canada's global leadership
potential.
The Voice - Summer 2021

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