Teaming with Canada for Australia’s Nuclear Energy Future

Report on a recent trip by the speakers to USA and Canada

Hosted by the Australian Nuclear Association (ANA).

5:30 for 6 pm AEDT Tuesday 18 October 2022.

Videos of presentation now available

Speakers:

Venue: UTS Aerial Function Centre, Level 7, UTS Building 10, 235 Jones Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007.

Abstract

This joint presentation covered a conference held at MIT in Boston dealing with Nuclear Energy in a Carbon Constrained World and an extensive study tour which addressed small nuclear power plant developments in Canada and specifically the GE Hitachi BWRX-300 SMR.

Successful deployment of smaller nuclear power plants, such as the GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300, rely upon reductions in materials intensity and speed of construction. The BWRX-300 will be 90% smaller in volume than the larger 1400 MWe Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR). Per MW of capacity, the BWRX-300 design reduces both the plant volume and concrete used by about 50 percent.

With 285 MWe of actual output the BWRX-300 is neat fit for small populations and requires very little grid adjustment. Importantly 95% of its components are already in actual operation in existing ABWR plants.

We heard from:

Dr David Collins from Synergetics in Melbourne who gave us an outline of the MIT conference run by Professor Jacopo Buongiorno which dealt with a blend of technical innovations, societal acceptance and trendlines in reactor developments.

Hon Dr David Gillespie MP, Member for Lyne, NSW, presented details of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission meeting which addressed the Canadian SMR road map. This will include the three categories of SMR’s being considered as well as the structured approvals process. Dr Gillespie will also outline our meeting with the Ontario Energy Minister Todd Smith and the swing back to nuclear energy away from a reliance on randomly variable renewables. Canada has very similar challenges to Australia with a need for both grid connected SMR’s and standalone micro reactors for remote locations. Canada would be an excellent partner to work with Australia.

Dr Robert Barr from Electric Power Consulting addressed the pricing and provision of electricity within Ontario where customers are paying at times about one third of the price o paid in NSW. This comes from a grid with sixty percent nuclear energy. Robert will then outline the selection process by Ontario Power Generation for deployment of the BWRX 300 at Darlington and briefly discuss by integration of nuclear power plants such as the BRWX 300 into the NEM using the Electric Power Consulting Energy Model.

Mr Robert Parker addressed the specifics of the BRWX-300 learned at our meeting with GE Hitachi. This will include an overview of times lines, plant design, construction methodology and operations. We will also look briefly at plant siting and broad project costs and the massive potential; for Australia and Canada to team up as Commonwealth partners in the deployment of this power plant.

5:30 for 6 pm AEDT Tuesday 18 October 2022.

Videos of presentation now available

Speakers:

Dr David Collins, Synergetics.

Hon Dr David Gillespie MP, Member for Lyne, NSW.

Dr Robert Barr, Electric Power Consulting.

Mr Robert Parker.

Venue: UTS Aerial Function Centre, Level 7, UTS Building 10, 235 Jones Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007.

Abstract