Canada’s long-term vision for nuclear research

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) has begun dialogue with potential participants after unveiling its vision for the organisation's future. The long-term strategy, which was released in late April, considers infrastructure investments of more than CAD1.2bn ($873m) over 10 years and includes the development of a new small modular reactor (SMR) at Chalk River by 2026.

The strategy looks at the future of Chalk River Laboratories in Ontario after the high-flux National Research Universal (NRU) reactor, an important supplier of medical isotopes, closes down on 31 March 2018 after 60 years of operations.

CNL's long-term vision is to be a recognised hub for SMRs, where multiple vendor-supported prototypes are built and tested, according to the strategy document. "As part of this long-term vision, CNL's goal in the next ten years is to host a prototype SMR," it says. Costs could be around CAD600m, with expected contributions from commercial entities, and executed through extensive partnering with technology vendors and end users, although the budget estimate will be refined over time through a non-binding call for expressions of interest.

To read more please visit http://www.neimagazine.com/news/newscanadas-long-term-vision-for-nuclear-research-5813601

Source: Nuclear Engineering International