THE ONLY GREEN ABOUT THIS IS THE GLOW
Canadian government launches SMR support programme24 February 2023
The Canadian government has launched a programme to support the commercial development of small modular reactors (SMRs), providing CAD29.6 million (USD21.8 million) of funding over four years to develop supply chains for SMR manufacturing and fuel supply and security, and to fund research on safe SMR waste management solutions
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Julie Dabrusin announced the launch of the programme at the CNA's 2023 conference
(Image: CNA)
The Enabling Small Modular Reactors Program was launched at the Canadian Nuclear Association's (CNA) annual conference by Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson.
"The safe and reliable clean energy provided by nuclear power is supporting us in removing coal and gas from the grid in Ontario and across Canada," Dabrusin said. "By investing in this next generation of nuclear technology, Canada can support its partners around the world in achieving their climate goals while exporting clean technologies and critical minerals like uranium to our global partners. This programme will help fight pollution and create sustainable jobs for generations to come."
Growing Canada's clean energy industries is vital as the country advances towards a net-zero grid by 2035, Wilkinson said: "Today's launch of the Enabling Small Modular Reactors Program is a step toward delivering more reliable, affordable and clean power to communities in regions across Canada."
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) was allocated the funding for research and development to support the conditions and frameworks necessary for SMRs to displace fossil fuels and contribute to climate change mitigation, under the 2022 federal budget. NRCan's call for applicants is the latest federal move in support of SMRs: the Canada Infrastructure Bank has committed to CAD970 million in financing for the project to build an SMR at the Darlington site in Ontario, and earlier this month, in partnership with NRCan, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) opened a call for proposals to support SMR projects under its Alliance Grants program.
Applicants under the Enabling SMRs Program can request up to CAD5 million for R&D projects, with the programme providing up to 75% of the total project costs, or up to 100% for projects led by Indigenous applicants. The average funding for a project is expected to be between CAD500,000 and CAD2.5 million depending on the size, scope, timeline and leveraged funding.
The programme aims to support projects that will help to develop supply chains for SMR manufacturing and fuel supply and security to support Canada’s SMR industry, and to fund research on waste management solutions to ensure that SMRs, and the waste they generate, will be safe now and into the future. Eligible applicants could include private companies, utilities, provinces and territories, universities and Indigenous groups, NRCAn said.
The deadline for applications is 7 April.
Researched and written by World Nuclear News
The Enabling Small Modular Reactors Program was launched at the Canadian Nuclear Association's (CNA) annual conference by Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson.
"The safe and reliable clean energy provided by nuclear power is supporting us in removing coal and gas from the grid in Ontario and across Canada," Dabrusin said. "By investing in this next generation of nuclear technology, Canada can support its partners around the world in achieving their climate goals while exporting clean technologies and critical minerals like uranium to our global partners. This programme will help fight pollution and create sustainable jobs for generations to come."
Growing Canada's clean energy industries is vital as the country advances towards a net-zero grid by 2035, Wilkinson said: "Today's launch of the Enabling Small Modular Reactors Program is a step toward delivering more reliable, affordable and clean power to communities in regions across Canada."
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) was allocated the funding for research and development to support the conditions and frameworks necessary for SMRs to displace fossil fuels and contribute to climate change mitigation, under the 2022 federal budget. NRCan's call for applicants is the latest federal move in support of SMRs: the Canada Infrastructure Bank has committed to CAD970 million in financing for the project to build an SMR at the Darlington site in Ontario, and earlier this month, in partnership with NRCan, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) opened a call for proposals to support SMR projects under its Alliance Grants program.
Applicants under the Enabling SMRs Program can request up to CAD5 million for R&D projects, with the programme providing up to 75% of the total project costs, or up to 100% for projects led by Indigenous applicants. The average funding for a project is expected to be between CAD500,000 and CAD2.5 million depending on the size, scope, timeline and leveraged funding.
The programme aims to support projects that will help to develop supply chains for SMR manufacturing and fuel supply and security to support Canada’s SMR industry, and to fund research on waste management solutions to ensure that SMRs, and the waste they generate, will be safe now and into the future. Eligible applicants could include private companies, utilities, provinces and territories, universities and Indigenous groups, NRCAn said.
The deadline for applications is 7 April.
Researched and written by World Nuclear News
Ontario explores possibility of new, large scale nuclear plants
By Allison Jones The Canadian Press
Posted February 23, 2023
Ontario's Darlington nuclear plant to receive first new reactor in decades – Dec 2, 2021
TORONTO — Ontario is exploring the possibility of building new, large-scale nuclear plants in order to meet increasing demand for electricity and phase out natural gas generation.
A report late last year by the Independent Electricity System Operator found that the province could fully eliminate natural gas from the electricity system by 2050, starting with a moratorium in 2027, but it will require about $400 billion in capital spending and more generation including new, large-scale nuclear plants.
Decarbonizing the grid, in addition to new nuclear, will require more conservation efforts, more renewable energy sources and more energy storage, the report concluded.
The IESO said work should start now to assess the reliability of new and relatively untested technologies and fuels to replace natural gas, and to set up large, new generation sources such as nuclear plants and hydroelectric facilities.
The province has not committed to a natural gas moratorium or phase-out, or to building new nuclear facilities other than its small modular reactor plans, but it is now consulting on the prospect.
A document recently posted to the government’s environmental registry asks for input on how best to engage the public and Indigenous communities on the planning and location of new generation and storage facilities.
Building new nuclear plants is “one pathway” toward a fully electrified system, Energy Minister Todd Smith said in an interview.
“It’s a possibility, for sure, and that’s why we’re looking for the feedback from Ontarians,” he said. “We’re considering all of the next steps.”
Environmental groups such as Environmental Defence oppose new nuclear builds, as well as the continued reliance on natural gas.
“The IESO’s report is peddling the continued use of natural gas under the guise of a decarbonization plan, and it takes as a given the ramping up of gas generation … and continues to rely on gas generated electricity until 2050, which is embarrassingly late,” said Lana Goldberg, Environmental Defence’s Ontario climate program manager.
“Building new nuclear is absurd when we have safe and much cheaper alternatives such as wind and solar power.”
The IESO has said the flexibility natural gas provides is needed to keep the system stable while new and relatively untested technologies are explored and new infrastructure gets built, but also as an electricity supply crunch looms.
Ontario is facing a shortfall of electricity with a nuclear plant set to be retired, others being refurbished, and increasing demands including from electric vehicles, new electric vehicle and battery manufacturing, electric arc furnaces for steelmaking, and growth in the greenhouse and mining industries.
The government consultation also asks whether “additional investment” should be made in clean energy in the short term in order to decrease reliance on natural gas, “even if this will increase costs to the electricity system and ratepayers.”
But Smith indicated the government isn’t keen on higher costs.
“We’re not going to sacrifice reliability and affordability,” he said. “We have to have a reliable and affordable system, otherwise we won’t have people moving to electrification.”
The former Liberal government faced widespread anger over high hydro bills _ highlighted often by the Progressive Conservatives, then in Opposition — driven up in part by long-term contracts at above-market rates with clean power producers secured to spur a green energy transition.
The current government consultation is open until May 14.
By Allison Jones The Canadian Press
Posted February 23, 2023
Ontario's Darlington nuclear plant to receive first new reactor in decades – Dec 2, 2021
TORONTO — Ontario is exploring the possibility of building new, large-scale nuclear plants in order to meet increasing demand for electricity and phase out natural gas generation.
A report late last year by the Independent Electricity System Operator found that the province could fully eliminate natural gas from the electricity system by 2050, starting with a moratorium in 2027, but it will require about $400 billion in capital spending and more generation including new, large-scale nuclear plants.
Decarbonizing the grid, in addition to new nuclear, will require more conservation efforts, more renewable energy sources and more energy storage, the report concluded.
The IESO said work should start now to assess the reliability of new and relatively untested technologies and fuels to replace natural gas, and to set up large, new generation sources such as nuclear plants and hydroelectric facilities.
The province has not committed to a natural gas moratorium or phase-out, or to building new nuclear facilities other than its small modular reactor plans, but it is now consulting on the prospect.
A document recently posted to the government’s environmental registry asks for input on how best to engage the public and Indigenous communities on the planning and location of new generation and storage facilities.
Building new nuclear plants is “one pathway” toward a fully electrified system, Energy Minister Todd Smith said in an interview.
“It’s a possibility, for sure, and that’s why we’re looking for the feedback from Ontarians,” he said. “We’re considering all of the next steps.”
Environmental groups such as Environmental Defence oppose new nuclear builds, as well as the continued reliance on natural gas.
“The IESO’s report is peddling the continued use of natural gas under the guise of a decarbonization plan, and it takes as a given the ramping up of gas generation … and continues to rely on gas generated electricity until 2050, which is embarrassingly late,” said Lana Goldberg, Environmental Defence’s Ontario climate program manager.
“Building new nuclear is absurd when we have safe and much cheaper alternatives such as wind and solar power.”
The IESO has said the flexibility natural gas provides is needed to keep the system stable while new and relatively untested technologies are explored and new infrastructure gets built, but also as an electricity supply crunch looms.
Ontario is facing a shortfall of electricity with a nuclear plant set to be retired, others being refurbished, and increasing demands including from electric vehicles, new electric vehicle and battery manufacturing, electric arc furnaces for steelmaking, and growth in the greenhouse and mining industries.
The government consultation also asks whether “additional investment” should be made in clean energy in the short term in order to decrease reliance on natural gas, “even if this will increase costs to the electricity system and ratepayers.”
But Smith indicated the government isn’t keen on higher costs.
“We’re not going to sacrifice reliability and affordability,” he said. “We have to have a reliable and affordable system, otherwise we won’t have people moving to electrification.”
The former Liberal government faced widespread anger over high hydro bills _ highlighted often by the Progressive Conservatives, then in Opposition — driven up in part by long-term contracts at above-market rates with clean power producers secured to spur a green energy transition.
The current government consultation is open until May 14.
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