Canada’s Bruce Power and Westinghouse Electric Company on 9 October announced an agreement to pursue applications of Westinghouse’s leading eVinci™ micro reactor programme within Canada.
The agreement supports efforts by the federal and provincial governments to study applications for nuclear technology to reach their goal of a Net Zero Canada by 2050.
The eVinci Micro Reactor is a next-generation, small battery for decentralised generation markets and micro grids such as remote communities, remote industrial mines and critical infrastructure. It is designed to provide competitive and resilient power and superior reliability with minimal maintenance, while its small size allows for standard transportation methods and rapid, on-site deployment. The reactor core is designed to run for three or more years, eliminating the need for frequent refuelling.
The key benefits of the eVinci Micro Reactor are attributed to its solid core and advanced heat pipes. The heat pipes enable passive core heat extraction, allowing autonomous operation and inherent load following capabilities. This makes the eVinci Micro Reactor a pseudo “solid-state” reactor with minimal moving parts.
“Small modular and micro reactors represent an incredible opportunity to bring GHG-emission free, affordable energy to the farthest regions of our province, supporting resource and economic development across our country,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines. Westinghouse President and CEO Patrick Fragman said: “Our eVinci technology can provide clean, reliable energy to remote areas and industrial applications across Canada.”
Over the next year, the two companies will focus on furthering the public policy and regulatory framework; assessing the economic, social and environmental contribution of the eVinci technology compared to alternates such as diesel or other fossil fuels; identifying potential industrial applications; and accelerating the roadmap for Canada to host a globally recognised demonstration as part of the federal small modular reactor (SMR) action plan.
Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power President and CEO said: “Bruce Power will leverage our relationships and capacity within the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) and Laurentian University-based Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO) towards this exciting opportunity for Canada.”
Bruce Power said it is committed to advancing future opportunities for nuclear energy to provide a clean, reliable source of electricity that provides life-saving medical isotopes around the world, in addition to being a source of jobs and innovation in communities across Canada.
