Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), and AtkinsRéalis have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities to collaborate on heavy water production for Candu reactors. Under the MOU, the three organisations will consider working together, as well as with additional strategic partners with the expertise to accelerate technologies, to either produce or upgrade heavy water. This could be used in the commissioning and operation of new Candu reactors in Canada, the construction of which would need significant volumes of heavy water that would require the construction of new facilities in Canada.
In heavy water the normal hydrogen atom is replaced by a heavier form of hydrogen called deuterium. It is used as a moderator and coolant in pressurised heavy water reactors such as Canada’s current fleet of Candu reactors. However, heavy water production in Canada ceased more than 25 years ago. The Bruce Heavy Water Plant built by AECL at the Bruce NPP site operated from 1973 until 1998. It was owned and operated by Ontario Power Generation to supply the heavy water needed for Canada’s nuclear power programme. Because heavy water is recycled in Candus the plant’s output was no longer needed after sufficient stockpiles were accumulated. Decommissioning of the plant began in 2004 and demolition work was completed in 2006.
Now with growing interest in the possible construction of new Candu reactors in Canada, AECL, CNL and AtkinsRéalis have a shared interest in advancing this technology towards deployment. This also goes beyond commercial opportunities as it would contribute to national policy objectives in Canada, including decarbonisation, energy security, economic growth and maintaining Canada’s position as a leading nuclear nation. In addition to the current collaboration, AECL and CNL intend to play a leadership role in additional initiatives to support the revival of Canada’s nuclear industry.
As the owner and operator of Canada’s national nuclear laboratories, AECL and CNL together have the necessary expertise, technology, facilities and intellectual property (IP) for the production, management and upgrading of heavy water. These capabilities complement those of nuclear industry leader AtkinsRéalis, steward of Candu technology. AtkinsRéalis has also introduced a next-generation Candu reactor – the Candu MONARK, a 1,000 MWe reactor, which is the only large-scale reactor developed domestically in Canada.
Jack Craig, CNL’s President & CEO said: “As operator of AECL’s Chalk River Laboratories, which is the birthplace of the Candu reactor, CNL is well-versed in this technology, and we play a significant role in ensuring its safe and reliable operation around the world. The Candu reactor design is a proven technology and CNL will continue to support the technology now and into the future, which includes establishing the necessary heavy water inventory and production capabilities.”
He added that the deployment of large-scale nuclear power in Canada is an enormous undertaking, and will require extensive alignment and coordination between organisations, industries, public officials and regulators from across the country. “Heavy water is one key piece of the larger puzzle, and AECL and CNL are working together to play a leadership role in this process, ensuring that the broader industry is working towards a shared vision, and that the necessary inventory and production capabilities are in place to supply these reactors.” CNL looks forward to leveraging its expertise, experience and CNL-managed, AECL-owned IP in heavy water production and upgrading to support the deployment of new Candu reactors in Canada with AtkinsRéalis. “By doing so, we will strive to make Canada the leader in the global heavy water market.”
Fred Dermarkar, President & CEO of AECL said Candu technology “is uniquely positioned to contribute to important national objectives such as decarbonization, energy security, economic growth and maintaining Canada’s Tier-1 nuclear nation status”.
Joe St Julian, President, Nuclear at AtkinsRéalis said a reliable supply of heavy water “will also safeguard the supply of the global isotope market with cancer-fighting nuclear medicine, as Candu reactors – with Ontario’s supplying 50% of the world’s supply of Cobalt 60 – are the only commercial scale reactors that can produce such medical isotopes while also producing power at the same time”.
AtkinsRéalis President & CEO Ian Edwards said the new collaboration sets the stage for Canada to lead the global heavy water market, solidifying its role as a key player in the energy transition. “With Candu reactors operating across four continents, a global nuclear new build market with expected demand in excess of 1,000 new reactors, a strong Candu reactor refurbishment market, and the introduction of the new Candu Monark 1,000 MWe reactor in addition to the existing Enhanced Candu 6, this memorandum of understanding could not have come at a better time.”
