Some SMR designs could be deployed in the near term with most available within the next 7 to 15 years. Some designs even have the potential to reduce the amounts of radioactive waste from existing reactors by closing the fuel cycle, where spent fuel is processed and partly reused. Most of these designs incorporate innovative features, including passive safety (if the system is not actively managed, it shuts itself down safely), inherent safety (making harmful emissions physically impossible), design for easy manufacture, and many years of operation on a single load of fuel. Some of these are in current commercial use, some have been physically demonstrated in the past, some are being prototyped now, and some are still conceptual. This number reflects both the excitement around their potential, and also the wide spectrum of possible nuclear reactor technologies. There are over 150 proposed designs for SMRs worldwide. All of these capabilities could make a dramatic difference in Canada’s ability to meet its Paris Accord commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. SMRs could also potentially lead to greater greenhouse gas reductions through the decarbonisation of the transportation industry, which could also be an enabler for improved infrastructure (such as high speed electric rail services). SMR designs should be able to take nuclear to smaller power grids (Saskatchewan), off-grid (remote mines and northern communities), allow for greater load following (to replace fossil fuels) and support the integration of more intermittent renewables in the grid within hybrid systems. Traditionally, nuclear energy has primarily been used to provide baseload power to large power grids, such as Ontario’s, where nuclear provides over 60% of the province’s electric power with very low emissions. They represent a paradigm shift for nuclear reactor technology – analogous to the shift of steam engines from mineshafts into ships and vehicles, or the movement of computers from mainframe to desktop and then to laptop. SMRs are a re-scaling and repurposing of nuclear technology for wider markets. Renewables and batteries can mitigate these limitations to some extent for residential power, but may not supply building heat, nor are they likely to offer reliable bulk energy to open up economic development. These currently rely almost exclusively on diesel fuel, which has various limitations (e.g. Off-grid power, district heating, and desalination in remote communities.Small or medium SMRs are likely to fit this need. Oilsands producers and remote mines would benefit from medium-term options for bulk heat and power that would be more reliable and cleaner than their current energy sources. On- and off-grid combined heat and power for heavy industry.Larger SMRs are likely to align to this application.
Utilities want to replace end-of-life coal plants with non-emitting base-load plants of similar size. On-grid power generation, especially in provinces phasing out coal in the near future.IN CANADA, SMRs HAVE THREE MAJOR AREAS OF APPLICATION:
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