Overview
Through its 8 Divisions and 12 Branches that cover most of Canada, with peak membership over 2000, the Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS) promotes the exchange of information on all aspects of nuclear sciences and technology and its applications. This includes nuclear power generation, fuel production, uranium mining and refining, management of radioactive wastes and used fuel. Other topics include medical and industrial uses of radionuclides, occupational and environmental radiation protection, the science and technology of nuclear fusion, and associated activities in research and development.
The purposes, structure and goals of the Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS) are stated comprehensively here.
CNS is committed to support SMR Action Plan with the following key priorities:
- CNS has strong motivation and interest in engaging in state-of-the-art SMR technology; and in providing trustworthy, objective, accurate and easy-to-understand information that conveys an appreciation of the Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology of SMRs and their benefits to society.
- CNS sees its major role as fostering engagement and public confidence, by organizing technical and SMR-focused conferences related to power generation, fuel production, mining and refining of uranium and management of used fuel and radioactive wastes.
- In alignment with the latest advanced SMR development trends in Canada, the G4SR Technology Division of CNS fulfils CNS learned-society objectives by organizing the G4SR International conference, providing an international forum to engage with others practising in related fields on the development and implementation of the latest Generation IV nuclear design concepts, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
For these reasons, CNS is committed, with its Mission, Vision and Values, to the Statement of Principles of the SMR Action Plans.
ACTIONS
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT
Support Candu Owner’s Group (COG) SMR Technology Forum (SMRTF) Activities
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
CNS01
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 35
ACTION
As a member of the CANDU Owners Group (COG) SMR Technology Forum, CNS Strives to provide diverse domain experts from CNS membership to support SMRTF’s activities in SMR licensing, nuclear standards for SMRs, SMR project management, SMR nuclear used fuel management, etc.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Through CNS Divisions dedicated to nuclear fuel and fuel cycles, CNS promotes sharing of scientific information on reducing nuclear waste, processes to reduce the toxicity of used nuclear fuel and issues relating to its long-term management. The result is that CNS has organized very successful international conferences on Nuclear Waste Management every few years.
- CNS will continue to help SMR advanced reactor deployment via S&T education and training courses, to pursue opportunities to minimize nuclear waste and potentially reuse nuclear fuel, complementing Canada’s existing practices for safe, long-term management of radioactive waste.
- Through international co-operation with IAEA, UNENE and universities, CNS will organize technical symposium and workshops to accelerate the research and knowledge acquisition on hybrid energy systems and production of hydrogen from SMR deployment.
- CNS members currently participating in CSA Nuclear Standard Technical Committee and sub-committees will help develop CSA standards for SMR deployment.
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT
Support OCNI In Developing Strong Supply Chain For SMR Deployment
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
CNS02
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 37
ACTION
In collaboration with OCNI, CNS engages with international research organizations to develop partnership in dissemination of advanced nuclear innovations for SMRs, such as nuclear advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, digital twin, etc.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Through an OCNI-CNS collaboration, CNS G4SR Technology division has engaged the UK Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC) to broadcast a first-of a-kind Webinar on Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing, with over 250 attendees, including international participants.
- Through CNS’s continued engagement and joint collaboration with OCNI in reaching out to leading edge international research organizations, academia in advanced technologies, the Canadian supply chain will develop solutions to drive innovations to unlock efficiencies that reduce capital costs of SMR technologies, enhancing their competitiveness for preparation in scaling up for fleet deployment.
CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Strengthen Diversity To Build Capacity As Science & Technology (S&T) Society In Canada
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
CNS03
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 39
ACTION
CNS will continue to strengthen diversity through greater inclusion of women, minority communities and youth, and by exploring meaningful and long-term economic partnership opportunities with Indigenous, rural, remote and northern communities.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- CNS membership will be diverse, ethnically and geographically, with members from coast to coast
- It is expected that many CNS members will also be members of WIN & NAYGN.
- CNS will work with WiN Canada and NAYGN to promote more diversity in the nuclear industry via workshops, webinar and conferences.
- CNS supports universities in nuclear workforce capacity building by putting on the student conference as well as offering scholarships to graduate and post graduate students.
CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Commitment To Be Part Of Team Canada To Support SMR Roadmap’s Key Findings On SMR Innovations
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
CNS04
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 53
ACTION
As civil society with Canada-wide membership, CNS is committed to be part of the Team Canada as key member of CNA and COG, to support the SMR Road Map Action Plan and its implementation, by providing education, training courses, workshops, conferences, liaison with international agencies e.g. IAEA, OECD-NEA, and regulators e.g. CNSC, in support of SMR deployment and nuclear innovations listed in the Roadmap’s key findings.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- The Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS) will continue to promote information exchange; foster development and utilization of nuclear science and technology; encourage education; and enhance professional capabilities in nuclear science and technology.
- The proven results from CNS programs have strengthened the S&T knowledge base across Canada on CANDU.
- Driven by the experience, excellent reputation and strong motivation through the activities of its 8 Divisions and 12 Branches that cover most of Canada, CNS will continue to make contribution in building capacity on knowledge acquisition for the next generation of the innovative technologies in support of SMR deployment.
- It has been recognized that CNS holds many successful international conferences, notably the successful nuclear waste conference, and G4SR international conferences, of which the SMR Roadmap was launched at this venue in 2018.
- With continued industry-wide recognition and civil society support, CNS strives to excel and to make CNS conferences internationally recognized.
- Concurrently, the CNS Education Committee will focus on educational training on SMR innovations as listed in the SMR Roadmap’s key findings.