Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and US-based X-energy have signed a framework agreement to pursue opportunities to deploy Xe-100 small modular reactors (SMRs) for industrial applications in Canada. Under the agreement, OPG and X-energy will pursue opportunities to deploy Xe-100 advanced reactors in Ontario at industrial sites and identify further potential end users and sites throughout Canada.

“Working with X-energy on the Xe-100, we can help heavy industry reach climate change goals by using clean, safe electricity and high temperature steam efficiently produced through evolutionary nuclear technology to power their production facilities and enable decarbonisation of their industrial processes,” said OPG President and CEO Ken Hartwick.

X-energy says the Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled reactor optimises proven technology to enable decarbonisation of industrial end use applications. By combining high-temperature steam and power production, the Xe-100 can directly support heavy industry including oil sands operations, mining applications, and other industrial processes.

X-energy developed and designed its Generation IV Xe-100 reactor based on decades of high-temperature gas reactor research, development, and operating experience. It is scalable to meet demand. One unit can generate up to 80MWe from 200MWt. It produces steam at 565 Celsius and offers flexible co-generation options suitable for decarbonising multiple industrial processes and supporting end-user power needs.

The Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) SMR Action plan says development and deployment of SMRs in Canada could yield up to CAD19 billion ($14.6bn) in total annual economic impact between 2030-2040, creating more than 6,000 new jobs a year across Canada.

The action plan shows an estimated global value of CAD150 billion a year by 2040 in the following areas:to replace coal-fired generation; to provide heat and power for mines; to provide steam for heavy industry; and for remote island nations and off-grid communities.

Image: X-energy's Xe-100 (photo courtesy of X-energy)