Subsurface Geological Site Criteria for the Placement of Small Modular Reactors in Southern Saskatchewan, Canada

Abstract

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are a clean energy alternative. While SMRs are in the design and manufacturing stage it is necessary to develop site criteria for their future placement. This ongoing study is part of a multidisciplinary project to develop technical capacity and understand the geological, geographical, environmental, regulatory and legal aspects of siting a SMR in the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada. Local geology has the potential to affect SMR placement at surface and underground installations. This paper presents the subsurface geological criteria to be investigated when siting SMRs in the Phanerozoic sedimentary bedrock of southern Saskatchewan. Based on the findings, the subsurface geological conditions that affect bedrock integrity include seismicity, subsurface collapse, and gas leaks in southern Saskatchewan, which were divided into two groupings, economic activity and natural phenomena. Economic activity includes, oil and gas injection and fracking, potash solution and conventional mining, gas storage caverns, disposal wells, sinkholes from abandoned coal mines. Natural phenomena include reactivated faults and lineaments, salt dissolution, and mass movement from karst and sinks. This study identifies the locations of economic activity and natural phenomena in southern Saskatchewan that should be evaluated prior to placing a SMR.