SAINT JOHN, N.B. — ARC Clean Technology (ARC), Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co (KHNP) and New Brunswick Power (NB Power) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore collaboration opportunities for the commercialization of ARC’s advanced SMR technology in Canada, Korea, United States and other jurisdictions.
ARC and NB Power have been working together since 2018 on the development of the ARC-100, a modular, advanced sodium-cooled fast reactor that will generate at least 100 megawatts of electricity, states a release.
The project at NB Power’s existing Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station submitted a license to prepare site application in June 2023 and is expected to be the first deployment of an on-grid advanced SMR facility in Canada.
KHNP operates 25 nuclear power units in South Korea and supplies approximately 30 per cent of the electric power within the country.
The opportunities for collaboration to be explored under the MOU could include participation in current and future projects by providing specific expertise for the design, construction, project management, commissioning, operation and maintenance of ARC’s advanced small modular reactor in multiple countries, adds the release.
“NB Power is pleased to continue to lead the small modular reactor project forward by exploring collaboration opportunities and expanding on existing partnerships,” said Lori Clark, president and CEO of NB Power, in a statement. “Small modular reactors are a key part of NB Power’s solution to phase out coal by 2030 and achieve net-zero supply by 2035, while maintaining energy security for New Brunswickers, and we are excited about potential future commercialization opportunities. This is an example of our Strategic Plan: Energizing our Future in action, finding new, cleaner and greener energy solutions and building partnerships.”
It is heartening to see the cooperation of ARC Clean Technology, NB Power, and KHNP on the reactor technology. An even more productive step would be the cooperation on expanding the fuel technology that includes Moltex with its WATSS approach, to exploit used CANDU transuranics (TRUs) from used CANDU fuel as starting fuel. Instead of U-235-based internationally sensitive HALEU such TRUs have the advantage of reducing used nuclear fuel “waste” and being available locally, in Canada.