Overview
NuScale Power supports the Statement of Principles recently published that articulate the Pan-Canadian vision and shared principles on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
NuScale Power is a U.S.-based advanced nuclear technology provider that has developed a new modular light water reactor nuclear power plant to supply energy for electrical generation, district heating, desalination, and other process heat applications.
NuScale’s ground- breaking small modular reactor (SMR) design features a fully factory-fabricated NuScale Power ModuleTM capable of generating up to 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe) using a safer, smaller, and scalable version of pressurized water reactor technology. NuScale's scalable design – a power plant can house up to 12 individual power modules (generating up to 924 MWe Gross) – offers the benefits of carbon-free energy and reduces the financial commitments associated with gigawatt-sized nuclear facilities.The majority investor in NuScale is Fluor Corporation, a global engineering, procurement, and construction company with a 70-year history in commercial nuclear power.
With just over 400 employees, NuScale is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and has offices in Corvallis, Oregon; Rockville, Maryland; Charlotte, North Carolina; Richland, Washington; London, United Kingdom; and plans to open an office in Toronto in 2021.
NuScale’s Mission Statement is to provide scalable advanced nuclear technology to improve the quality of life for people around the world. Given the challenges faced due to a changing climate, it is more important than ever to provide carbon-free solutions that meet a variety of energy needs across the globe:
- Energy is essential to human development in that 1.1 billion people still live without any access to electricity,
- By 2025, half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas,
- More than 1 billion metric tons of food is lost or wasted each year for lack of cooling, and
- Green house gas emissions and air pollution are at unsustainable levels and a reliable, flexible carbon-free alternative is required in order to meet global energy needs.
To meet these needs, the NuScale SMR power plant provides reliable, flexible power to diverse energy applications. NuScale Power was formed in 2007 for the sole purpose of completing the design and commercializing the NuScale Power Module™. This revolutionary nuclear technology is capable of producing electricity and process heat for a variety of industrial applications, including hydrogen production, refinery operations, and thermal desalination for the production of clean water. The following describes NuScale’s commitments and actions that are either in place or being considered so that NuScale Power can successfully engage as a member of Team Canada to deliver on the vision of the Canadian Roadmap for SMRs.
NuScale believes that an inclusive, balanced clean energy system that fully utilizes the benefits of renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydro—coupled with the reliability and scale of nuclear generation—is needed to support a carbon-free future. The operational flexibility of the NuScale SMR plant can enable an increased amount of renewable generation onto the grid to help decarbonize industrial and transportation sectors, which will expedite a clean energy system transition. NuScale’s Diverse Energy Platform (NuDEP) offers multiple electrical and thermal applications that demonstrate the broad utility of our innovative SMR-based power plant. The NuScale multi-module plant design affords a high degree of flexibility that provides not only reliable baseload and load-following electricity, but also clean, affordable thermal energy for a variety of process heat applications. One NuScale Power Module can produce 250 MWt of heat energy in the form of superheated steam for industrial applications, such as chemical processing, enhanced oil recovery, or for synthetic fuels production. In addition, this heat can be used in a range of low temperature, low pressure applications such as water desalination and district heating.
The deployment of NuScale SMR power plants in Canada affords localization opportunities for the sourcing of material, equipment, and components in the nuclear island and balance of plant portions of the power plant. NuScale is not a manufacturer and does not possess its own manufacturing assets. Accordingly, for NuScale plant deployments in Canada, there exists great flexibility for selecting Canadian suppliers who most closely align with project needs. This is especially true for the balance of plant equipment and components where the NuScale power plant utilizes readily available commercial grade components and equipment throughout the balance of plant—presenting a significant opportunity to localize purchases from Canadian suppliers who provide thermal power plant equipment.
A NuScale-specific Canadian supplier webinar was hosted by the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) on May 1, 2020 during which NuScale introduced its SMR technology to nearly 200 participants who represented a broad cross section of Canadian suppliers and vendors. Participants demonstrated strong interest in NuScale’s support of the Pan-Canadian view and our work to deploy a power plant in the country. As a result, a number of discussions continue with these and other Canadian suppliers and vendors.
NuScale Power is in a unique position to commit and contribute to the SMR Action Plan, which includes building and operating a new SMR nuclear power plant in Canada within this decade.
NuScale success is defined, in part, by the following:
- Become the first ever company to receive SMR design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This approval was received by NuScale in August 2020. Design certification will follow in 2021.
- Continue with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) Vendor Design Review (VDR) Process. NuScale’s second submittal of a combined phase 1 and 2 package was provided to the CNSC on July 15, 2020 and we are collectively on course to complete all four submittals by November 2021.
- Utilize the benefits and harmonization efforts from the 2019 Memorandum of Cooperation between the U.S. NRC and the CNSC to accelerate the review and approval of NuScale’s SMR technology in Canada, making it increasingly available throughout Canada as well as providing a solid regulatory foundation from which to expand global adoption of NuScale’s SMR technology. NuScale Power was specifically identified as a candidate SMR technology that would be the subject of the regulatory co-operation between the NRC and the CNSC.
- Support interested Canadian licensees in completing the CNSC regulatory process for the construction and operation of a NuScale power plant in Canada.
- Continue to develop NuScale’s supply chain in Canada. NuScale already has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with BWXT, a large nuclear vessel manufacturer with facilities in Canada, to develop the fabrication process for NuScale Power Modules™. The results of a recent in-house study conducted by the NuScale Supply Chain team reveal that estimated localization capability in Canada for NuScale-supplied equipment is greater than 80 percent.
- Partner with Canadian stakeholders such as power utilities, Provincial and Territorial Governments, and the Federal Government to support the Pan-Canadian view of offering a fleet-wide approach that benefits from standardization, lessons learned, and yields best practices for reducing construction and operational costs, and increasing operational effectiveness and performance.
- Utilize the Canadian supply chain and operational experience to present global export opportunities for NuScale’s SMR technology.
- Utilize the benefits of the U.S. Nuclear Energy Institute - Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) relationship for Canadian and global deployment.
ACTIONS
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT
Engagement with the Canadian Nuclear safety Commission (CNSC)
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
NU01
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 44
ACTION
Completion of the phase 1 & 2 Vendor Design Review (VDR) process with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) by 2021.
EXPECTED RESULTS
Provide assurance to both the regulator and potential customers that the NuScale small modular reactor (SMR) design is sufficiently mature to build and operate in Canada while also informing potential Canadian licensees in preparation for Construction and Operating License Applications.
Provide interested licensees the opportunity to initiate a Construction License Application process that utilizes NuScale’s VDR results.
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT
Planning and Testing for Deployment
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
NU02
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 40
ACTION
Demonstrate the NuScale Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Safety Case.
Rigorously demonstrate the safety case and operational capabilities of the NuScale SMR design fundamental to our progress via the NuScale Integral System Test Facility (NIST-2) located at Oregon State University.
EXPECTED RESULTS
Share the results with the NuScale Advisory Board (NuAB), which since its inception in 2008 have had the participation of 29 experienced North American nuclear operators bringing utility perspective to address technical, operational, and commercial readiness.
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT
SMR Demonstration Projects
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
NU03
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 40
ACTION
Advance work to deploy the first NuScale SMR power plant in North America for the Utah Association of Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP), which will begin initial operation in mid-2029.
EXPECTED RESULTS
Increase benefit to the Pan-Canadian view by developing a fleet-wide North America approach for reducing construction costs, offering shorter facility initial start-up schedules, and providing long-term operational benefits.
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT
Meet Design and Operational Requirements
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
NU04
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 41
ACTION
Create the NuScale Advisory Board (NuAB) with over 29 participating power companies since its inception, including contributions from Canadian companies such as Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Bruce Power, and Sask Power.
EXPECTED RESULTS
Continually meet the needs of potential customers as they consider deployment of our SMR technology.
Increase NuScale’s learning from design discussions with NuAB participants, advancing the development of our SMR technology so that it meets the operational and performance expectations of potential owners.
DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT
Safe Disposal and Requirements of Used Fuel
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
NU05
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 45
ACTION
- Engage with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) on appropriate technical requirements for the safe dispositioning of used fuel and waste.
- Utilize existing global experience and data regarding the fuel’s characteristics, handling, and disposition.
- Demonstrate NuScale proven safe and secure used fuel management system and its compliance with the used fuel management, storage, and disposal requirements of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
EXPECTED RESULTS
- NuScale and the NWMO will have a clear understanding of the technical specifications for safe disposal of spent fuel and the requirements for any conditioning of waste for acceptance at a used fuel waste facility.
- Costs and funding requirements associated with used (“spent”) fuel and nuclear waste management and disposal are well understood and minimized.
POLICY, LEGISLATION, AND REGULATION
U.S. - Canada Regulatory Collaboration & Efficiency
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
NU06
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 23
ACTION
Receive design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which NuScale received in August 2020, with Design Certification to follow in 2021.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Support the harmonization efforts from the 2019 Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the U.S. NRC and the CNSC
- Accelerate acceptance of NuScale’s technology and support pathways to make it increasingly available throughout Canada, bolstered by the fact that in 2020, NuScale was identified for consideration by the NRC and CNSC to test the objectives set forth in the MOC
- Provide a solid regulatory foundation from which to expand global adoption of NuScale’s SMR technology.
- Provide benefit to the Canadian objective of having an SMR technology deployed in the 2020s
CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Early Engagement on Technical Specifications
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
NU07
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 44
ACTION
- Work closely with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
- Provide support to determine use, needs, and gaps
EXPECTED RESULTS
Alignment with the existing requirements of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) in order to support deployment in Canada.
CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Diversity of Next-Generation Nuclear Talent
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
NU08
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 39, 49
ACTION
Advance NuScale’s work as a signatory to the international “Equal by 30” campaign to benefit the nuclear sector in Canada.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Overall diversity and representation in the Canadian nuclear industry through greater inclusion of women, youth, minorities, and Indigenous persons will be strengthened through NuScale’s Canada-based operations.
- NuScale’s goal of 50% overall diversification of NuScale’s workforce in the coming decade will be connected to future Canada-based operations
- Through future Canada-based operations, NuScale’s diversity recruitment and supplier diversification efforts will increase
- NuScale’s Women in Nuclear chapter increasingly supports Women in Nuclear Canada efforts to diversify the next generation of nuclear talent in Canada
CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Supporting the Clean Energy Mix with SMR Nuclear Power
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
NU09
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 9
ACTION
Seek out opportunities to integrate SMRs with other clean energy sources.
Ensure that NuScale’s design meets or exceeds maneuverability requirements set forth in the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Utility Requirements Document or “URD.” NuScale’s design includes three unique means to change power output from a NuScale plant: turbine bypass, reactor power maneuvering, and dispatchable modules. This functionality means that the NuScale power plant can support a balanced clean energy mix by providing reliable, flexible power to complement wind, solar, and hydro generation in a cost efficient manner.
EXPECTED RESULTS
Demonstrate the plant’s ability to adjust electrical output to match system demand resulting from variations in wind, solar, and hydro generation.
This pairing with variable renewables will allow for an increased amount of renewable generation onto the grid helping decarbonize industrial and transportation sectors, which will expedite a clean energy system transition.
CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Public Engagement with SMR Technology
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
NU10
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 53, 48
ACTION
Advance Public Outreach Programs via the dissemination of the NuScale Energy Exploration (E2) Centers at Canadian Universities building on the deployment of simulators at U.S. universities including, but not limited to, the University of Idaho and Oregon State University. These centers run on software models that provide high fidelity, full-scope, real-time simulation of two reactors and common support systems, the thermal hydraulics associated with these modules, and the power plant’s electrical systems. Build on the above at Canadian Universities such as Ontario Tech University, University of Saskatchewan, McMaster University, and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. In addition, an E2 Center could be installed at the Canadian National Laboratory Facility at Chalk River, Ontario to support human factors and operations research.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Knowledge of members of the public regarding advanced nuclear technology in a control room setting will increase
- The future nuclear workforce has the skills, abilities, and resources needed for industry to meet the demands of a new emerging SMR subsector in Canada
- Develop a pan-Canadian plan to re-orient technical training programs and educational curriculum with a view to SMRs
CAPACITY, ENGAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Indigenous Engagement
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
NU11
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 43
ACTION
Leverage partnership with Fluor Corporation, NuScale’s EPC partner that brings over 70 years of experience in Canada and who is a PAR Certified member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB).
EXPECTED RESULTS
Increase exploration of meaningful and long-term economic partnership opportunities with Indigenous, rural, remote and northern communities.
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AND MARKETS
Partnering with Canadian Supply Chain
STATUS: COMPLETE
NU12
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 37
ACTION
Incorporate in Canada and join the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) and Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA).
EXPECTED RESULTS
Increase NuScale supply chain presence in Canada through activities such as the NuScale Canadian supplier webinar hosted by OCNI in May 2020.
Increase dialogue with Canadian vendors and advance progress with regard to the NuScale supply chain.
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AND MARKETS
Partnering with Canadian Supply Chain
STATUS: COMPLETE
NU13
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 16, 20
ACTION
Team with Fluor Corporation, one of the world’s largest engineering, procurement, construction (EPC) and maintenance companies that has been established in Canada for over 70 years, recently averaging $2B in annualized spend with 8,000 well-qualified suppliers to evaluate localization capability of a NuScale SMR.
EXPECTED RESULTS
The estimated localization capability in Canada for NuScale-supplied equipment is greater than 80 percent.
Continue to mature these relationships.
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AND MARKETS
Partnering with Canadian Supply Chain
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
NU14
Responds to SMR Roadmap recommendation(s): 16, 20
ACTION
Enter into an agreement with BWX Technologies (BWXT), a large nuclear pressure vessel manufacturer with fabrication facilities in Canada, for the development and review of the fabrication process for the NuScale Power Module™ (NPM).
EXPECTED RESULTS
Identify a potential local source of a key NuScale SMR component.