THE RIGHT KIND OF SMR FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

Abstract

Canada has derived its nuclear energy for over 60 years from natural uranium fuel in its CANDU reactors. Even though it only consumes 0.74% of the mined uranium, the CANDU reactor is still the most fuel-efficient of thermal reactors. The potential of adding small modular reactors to Canada’s fleet makes it imperative that the nuclear power paradigm in this country be re- examined. Should one continue with the CANDU design to exploit as little as 0.74% of the world’s most energy-rich fuel, or extract even less with the use of all other thermal SMRs? Or is it time to change to a more efficient uranium fuel use, over 100 times more fuel efficient, a use that can as a result hugely minimize used nuclear fuel waste with the acquisition of fast-spectrum SMRs and the adoption of recycling to close the fuel cycle? Philosophically the time to change has never been better, with the modular nature of the SMRs providing an entry that is doable, affordable, and expandable as needed.