Overview
ARC Nuclear Canada Inc. (ARC Canada), being a technology company, was built upon a vision by its founders to provide an inherently safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly energy source that is flexible and deals with waste. ARC Canada’s intention is to fully develop and implement an inclusive Canadian manufacturing hub and supply chain with a fabrication facility based in New Brunswick to build and transport the ARC-100 technology in Canada and worldwide. ARC Canada’s value proposition will result in a nuclear supply chain delivering economic growth, well-paying supply chain jobs and the opportunity for Canada to take the lead in the advanced SMR technology field. Through an internal analysis of the Canadian nuclear supply chain capabilities, ARC Canada estimates that the majority of all the ARC-100 components and systems could be supplied in Canada. This value proposition results in over 30 thousand direct jobs and 80 thousand indirect jobs across Canada, comparable to the current Canadian Nuclear Industry.
In 2018, ARC Canada established its office in Saint John, New Brunswick after New Brunswick and ARC Canada announced their partnership through the province’s Nuclear Innovation Cluster funding initiative. With this partnership, and through this “first of a kind SMR Canadian investment strategy”, New Brunswick became a leader in Canada, focused on the development of advanced SMR technology to combat the effects of climate change. Since opening its offices in New Brunswick, ARC Canada has fully engaged in the development of its proven advanced sodium cooled fast reactor technology which, in addition to being a clean energy source, will offer higher levels of safety than the current generation of nuclear technology and can effectively deal with waste. The first ARC-100 unit will be operational in the late 2020’s timeframe and will be built at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generation Station in New Brunswick. ARC Canada has successfully completed the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commissions (CNSC) Vendor Design Review (VDR) Phase 1, which is a pre-licensing activity that provides vendors detailed information regarding the ability of its design to be licensed in Canada. ARC Canada is in active negotiations with the CNSC to plan the start of Phase 2 of the VDR in 2020. The progress achieved by ARC Canada to date in regulatory reviews, project planning and design has provided the foundation for substantial and lasting growth opportunities and economic development across New Brunswick and Canada.
Part of ARC Canada’s strategic vision is to partner with local academia to support and grow research and development initiatives. To further these initiatives, ARC Canada has invested in the University of New Brunswick (UNB), enabling the reinstatement of the Nuclear Engineering option which had been shut down for over a decade. In addition, ARC Canada continues its commitment to academia by growing its R&D initiatives through exploratory discussions with the University of Moncton and Community Colleges.
ARC Canada’s commitment to the Statement of Principles
ARC Canada’s advanced SMR technology will be a source of clean, safe, and affordable energy that addresses waste and opens opportunities for a resilient, low-carbon future while capturing benefits for New Brunswick and Canada. Further, ARC Canada prioritizes business reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through a path of meaningful partnerships and mutually beneficial economic opportunities. As such, ARC Canada continues to actively participate in transparent and meaningful two-way dialogue with Indigenous communities and is committed to continuing these discussions throughout all stages of the project.
An international consensus is emerging that smaller, simpler, and cheaper nuclear energy sources, offering 24/7 energy availability, combined with the full range of low-carbon technologies, will be required to combat global climate change and meet federal, provincial and territorial emissions targets for 2030 and 2050. With the New Brunswick investment strategy in mind, ARC Canada is working to develop a Pan-Canadian nuclear sector approach which can play a key role in a low-carbon energy future.
The Canadian SMR Roadmap provides a path for success, with over 50 recommendations to all essential enabling partners. As an enabling partner in this important initiative, and with the additional support of the Government of Canada, ARC Canada supports Canada’s SMR Action Plan and endorses the statement of principles described within.
ARC Canada’s role in the SMR ecosystem
The federal mandate is clear that an inclusive Pan-Canadian nuclear industry is essential to our future energy requirements, and ARC Canada continues to show leadership by developing initiatives and programs to work with the Government of Canada, various Provincial Governments and supporting industry groups and local coalitions, including the Indigenous community. ARC Canada sees the benefit of collaborating in mutually beneficial initiatives with other SMR technology companies in Canada. As Canada moves forward in its development of a new nuclear technology sector, ARC Canada recognizes the importance of a Pan-Canadian integrated approach which is creating constantly evolving relationships for success. As such, ARC Canada has put in place a flexible and adaptive corporate approach leading to various enabling activities.
Climate change continues to be a priority in New Brunswick and the Atlantic region. As such, ARC Canada became a founding member of the Atlantic Clean Energy Alliance (ACEA) that includes NB Power and the Government of New Brunswick, as well as other clean energy companies. This Alliance is being led by the Atlantica Centre for Energy which is dedicated to increasing energy literacy for community leaders and stakeholders. ARC Canada fully supports and is an active participant in this important initiative for the Atlantic region as it promotes sustainable and reliable solutions to reducing emissions.
ARC Canada is also a founding member of the CANDU Owners Group (COG), Vendor Participant Program. Its President & CEO is currently Chair of this multi-vendor SMR technology group that provides a significant opportunity for vendor cooperation and aids in exchange of information among the SMR vendors working in Canada. Further, ARC Canada is working within the Canadian Nuclear Industry to promote the additional benefits through its relationships with the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industry (OCNI) and the Canadian Manufacturer & Export (CM&E). By promoting a fully integrated Canadian approach, ARC Canada has developed local ties with over 25 companies in the Atlantic Provinces to work for the first time together to advance the Canadian nuclear industry. ARC Canada participates in various initiatives to engage others in supporting advanced SMR activities such as Pan-Canadian webinars and local supply chain events with local companies and Indigenous-owned entities.
Actions
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT
Design, develop & construct a SMR technology
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
ARC01
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 17, 40
ACTION
Through its NB Power partnership, design and construct the ARC Canada technology (ARC-100) at the Point Lepreau Generation Station site.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Expansion of ARC Canada’s head office with the addition of well-paying jobs.
- Thousands of construction and supply chain employment opportunities for New Brunswick & Canada.
- ARC Canada partners open corporate offices in New Brunswick.
- The first of a kind unit online by late 2020s with a 20-year fuel cycle.
- An option for Canada to reconstitute ARC-100 fuel and deal with current legacy used fuel.
- Overall reduction in New Brunswick’s CO2 emissions with the reduction of fossil fuel electrical generation.
- Solidify New Brunswick’s position within the Canadian Nuclear Industry.
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT
Fuel fabrication & reprocessing
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
ARC02
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 8
ACTION
Work to develop partnerships with Canadian and international companies to develop the ARC Canada technology as it relates to new fuel and the reconstitution of fuel.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Canadian R&D leading to government policy decisions regarding new types of fuel and the use of reconstitution as a manner to reduce used fuel stockpiles.
- Private investment into ARC Canada technology fuel fabrication and reconstitution facility.
- Reduction in volume and radiotoxicity of Canada’s long-term waste, potentially reducing disposal requirements.
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT
Fleet deployment pathways
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
ARC03
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 47
ACTION
Through its partnership with NB Power, develop fleet deployment pathways with benefits for Canada; establish partnerships with Canadian operators, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) firms, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and the broader Canadian supply chain.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Development of a Canadian fleet services concept for future state support activities across Canada and worldwide.
- Solidify Canada’s position within the Global market with the development of a sustainable supply chain.
- Demonstration of the unique qualities of the ARC Canada technology to enable a successful fleet deployment approach to nuclear power plant operations.
POLICY, LEGISLATION, AND REGULATION
Support & engage the Canadian nuclear infrastructure
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
ARC04
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 44, 45
ACTION
Support the enactment of legislation and regulatory structures that will lead to SMR technology development in Canada through continuing engagement with:
- The CNSC through its pre-licensing process.
- NWMO to determine appropriate technical specifications for a safe disposal of waste.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Canadian SMR development programs that result in enhancements in the areas of:
- New, supportive policy development by the CNSC and NWMO.
- CNSC revisions of regulatory requirements reflective of higher levels of safety obtain by ARC Canada technology.
- Government of Canada recognition of ARC Canada safe and effective new solutions to address used fuel.
- Completion of Phase 2 of the CNSC Vendor Design Review process.
- First of a kind CNSC License to operate.
- NWMO design revisions reflective of less volumetric requirements and shorter half-life storage, resulting in a significantly lower cost for long term storage.
CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Strategic partnerships & business models
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
ARC05
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 46
ACTION
Build strategic partnerships and business models to strengthen public understanding of the safety, economic competitiveness, and other advantages of the ARC Canada technology.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Continued partnership with NB Power and other Canadian companies, as well as Indigenous Communities to strengthen public understanding of the safety, economic competitiveness, waste reduction and other advantages of the ARC Canada technology.
- Create opportunities to build sustainable long-term partnerships for other Provinces and territories such as Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta to participate in the ARC Canada SMR development program.
- Business models, including management systems, that reflect:
- cultural benefits of the region,
- diversity,
- inclusion, and
- business reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Indigenous engagement
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
ARC06
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 43
ACTION
Conduct meaningful, early, two-way engagement with Indigenous peoples and communities regarding the ARC-100 technology.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Positive relationships and partnerships are built between ARC Canada and Indigenous groups.
- Greater understanding of Indigenous views, concerns, and priorities relating to the ARC-100 project.
- Business reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AND MARKETS
International partnerships
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
ARC07
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 15, 34
ACTION
Promote the ARC Canada technology as an export product in international markets for the benefit of Canada.
Continue and enhance ARC Canada’s engagement initially in the United Kingdom, Japan and the US and subsequently in the developing world.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- International exports of ARC Canada technology resulting in substantial economic and geopolitical benefits for Canada, generating employment, growing GDP and government revenues, and expanding the Canadian economy.
- Provide important benefits to other countries by increasing their ability to generate clean energy safely while ensuring non-proliferation in developing countries through ARC’s proprietary 20 year refueling cycle.
CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Academia partnerships
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
ARC08
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 48
ACTION
Engage and collaborate with post-secondary academic institutions particularly in New Brunswick to assist with R&D requirements and curriculum development.
This may also include co-op programs.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Through local and national academic partnerships, R&D programs are established to support and advance the ARC Canada technology.
- Young professionals are “work force ready” for the emerging SMR subsector in Canada.
- Trades development to provide a diverse workforce.
CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Outreach programs
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
ARC09
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 50
ACTION
Develop outreach programs that promote the significant advantages of the ARC-100 development as a safe, clean, and reliable energy source that deals with waste.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Increase access to evidence-based information regarding ARC Canada Technology.
- Higher levels of public understanding regarding emerging SMR technologies.
- Strong relations with First Nation Communities.
- Strong relations with various local communities and industries supporting the manufacturing of the ARC Canada technology.
- Strong New Brunswick based employment programs that supports local youth engagement.
CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Supply chain strategy
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
ARC10
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 37, 20
ACTION
Engage early with New Brunswick based companies to assess interest in participating in the ARC Canada Canadian Based supply chain, while also leveraging the current Canadian Supply Chain.
Conduct analysis to assess Canadian and New Brunswick capabilities to supply ARC Canada technology components and systems.
EXPECTED RESULTS
New Brunswick based “Manufacturing Hub” established to supply ARC Canada components across Canada and globally, resulting in thousands of well-paying supply chain jobs, increased provincial GDP and revenue.
- Full integration of a Pan-Canadian supply chain leveraging capabilities across the country.
- Early engagement of interested companies to identify necessary requirements or upgrades to current facilities.
- Manufacturing and Supply chain investment opportunities which grow current capabilities or establish new companies to support ARC Canada.
CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Promoting diversity in the future SMR workforce
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
ARC11
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 39, 49
ACTION
Develop plans to ensure the ARC Canada workforce of the future is diverse, equitable and representative.
EXPECTED RESULTS
Organizational development that establishes an inclusive workforce that is diverse and equitably recognizes contributions from women, youth, minorities, and Indigenous people, reflecting the population and linguistic attributes of the region.