Small modular reactor project moves ahead in Canada
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy will conduct a webinar for Canadian suppliers interested in providing material, equipment and services in support of the possible construction of its BWRX-300 small modular reactor in Canada. The webinar, scheduled for April 28, will be conducted in cooperation with the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI).
The webinar will enable OCNI member companies including suppliers, manufacturers and contractors to learn more about the BWRX-300, GEH’s vision for a clean energy future and steps the company is taking to pursue licensing of its reactor technology in Canada.
GEH recently made its first submittal to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) for the Vendor Design Review (VDR) of the BWRX-300. The submittals addressed eight of the 19 VDR focus areas including general plant description, control system and facilities, research and development and design process.
The BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety systems that leverages the design and licensing basis of GEH’s U.S. NRC-certified ESBWR. Through dramatic design simplification, GEH projects the BWRX-300 will require significantly less capital cost per MW when compared to other water-cooled SMR designs or existing large nuclear reactor designs.
By leveraging the existing ESBWR design certification, utilizing licensed and proven nuclear fuel designs, incorporating proven components and supply chains and implementing simplification innovations the BWRX-300 can, GEH believes, become cost-competitive with power generation from combined cycle gas plants and renewable energy platforms. As the tenth evolution of GE’s first Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) design, GEH’s BWRX-300 represents the simplest, yet most innovative BWR design since GE began commercializing nuclear reactors in 1955.
Heather Chalmers, President & CEO of GE Canada will also participate in the webinar.
GEH is planning to conduct several supplier forums in Canada within the next 12 months and will invite all Canadian suppliers interested in potentially supplying goods and services for a BWRX-300 project.
