Canada Invests $13.6 Million in SMR Research

The Canadian government has announced a $13.6 million investment to support nine research projects for Small Modular Reactors (SMR), aiming to strengthen the country's nuclear capabilities and contribute to a low-carbon economy.

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Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Enabling Small Modular Reactors (SMR) Program has allocated $13.6 million across nine initiatives. These projects cover various aspects of SMR development, from dry fuel storage to the implementation of new manufacturing technologies. This funding aims to address technical challenges to deploy these technologies safely and effectively.

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List of Funded Research Projects:

1. **Queen’s University (Kingston, Ontario)**
– **Amount:** $935,542
– **Objective:** Study dry fuel storage and conduct a technological and lifecycle assessment of SMRs to facilitate their efficient deployment.

2. **Chemetics (Pickering, Ontario)**
– **Amount:** $2,131,000
– **Objective:** Support the development of new manufacturing technologies for SMR components by testing and qualifying innovative methods.

3. **Prodigy Clean Energy Ltd (Montreal, Quebec)**
– **Amount:** $2,750,000
– **Objective:** Research and develop transportable nuclear power plants to support the SMR supply chain.

4. **Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) (Toronto, Ontario)**
– **Amount:** $3,750,000
– **Objective:** Adapt the NWMO’s Adaptive Phased Management program to ensure its compatibility with future SMR deployment.

5. **Calian Ltd (Ottawa, Ontario)**
– **Amount:** $261,535
– **Objective:** Develop a guide for potential SMR suppliers and operators on radiological elements management in construction materials.

6. **Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (Pickering, Ontario)**
– **Amount:** $543,000
– **Objective:** Develop the national Ready4SMR program to identify technological supply risks and establish strategies to mitigate them.

7. **Kinectrics (Etobicoke, Ontario)**
– **Amount:** $126,475
– **Objective:** Study the feasibility of eliminating the carbon-14 isotope by recovering it from radioactive waste and explore options to divert these waste streams.

8. **North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council (Eel Ground, New Brunswick)**
– **Amount:** $2,070,336
– **Objective:** Study and develop robust supply chains for SMR manufacturing while anchoring elements of ownership in New Brunswick with First Nations participation.

9. **Opportunities New Brunswick (Fredericton, New Brunswick)**
– **Amount:** $1,094,850
– **Objective:** Develop a research and development lifecycle framework to support modular SMR manufacturing and their economic deployment in Canada.

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Strategic Positioning

This $13.6 million investment demonstrates the Canadian government’s ambition to position the country as a key player in the SMR market, estimated to reach $150 billion annually by 2040. By investing in research, new technology development, and strengthening supply chains, Canada is preparing to capture a significant share of this emerging market. This strategy aims to meet international demand for low-carbon energy solutions while enhancing the competitiveness of the national nuclear industry.

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