How Nuclear Energy is Powering Ontario’s Economy
Nuclear energy is playing the lead role in effectively reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that have been proven to seriously harm our planet. Numerous studies have shown that, for both environmental and economic reasons, we urgently need to embrace nuclear power generation as the most appropriate technology, to meet our long-term electricity needs.
LOW COST ENERGY
Nuclear generation is the practical, low cost, low carbon option with the proven capability to end our dependence on fossil fuels. In addition to its proficiency in providing low-cost energy, the nuclear industry creates thousands of jobs, supports hundreds of homegrown Ontario businesses, and stimulates high technology energy and non-energy e.g. cancer fighting isotopes innovation.
Whereas some governments across the globe are showing a reluctance to adapt to the current situation, Ontario is making strong moves in the right direction and is viewed as a world leader in the most viable alternative to fossil fuels. For the last several years, clean, reliable and affordable nuclear power has met more than half of Ontario’s daily electricity needs.
“In Ontario, nuclear power generation is both protecting the environment and creating jobs,” says Ron Oberth, President and CEO, Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries. “It really is a beautiful convergence of two of the drivers of the province. It creates sustainable jobs right across the province, with many of the companies that manufacture equipment being key employers and key contributors to local economies.”
HOW IT WORKS
A nuclear reactor works like a highly-sophisticated steam engine. It uses energy produced from a fission reaction to create heat, which is then used to generate the steam that turns the electrical generator. The key parts of a nuclear reactor include the uranium fuel, the moderator and the coolant.
The moderator is a light material, often water, which slows down the neutrons without completely capturing them, helping to create further fission. The coolant is a fluid that circulates through the reactor core, absorbing and transferring the heat produced by nuclear fission. It also maintains the temperature of the fuel within acceptable limits. TAKING A LEADING ROLE First created in Canada, the CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) reactor design uses deuterium oxide - also known as “heavy water”- as a moderator and coolant.
CANDU reactors are unique in that they use natural, unenriched uranium as a fuel, and can be modified to use recycled uranium, mixed fuels and even thorium. Natural uranium does not require enrichment, so a CANDU reactor’s fuel costs are considerably lower than other reactor designs. CANDU reactors can be refuelled while operating at full power - most other designs must be shut down for refuelling - and they have a stellar safety record.
Canada’s nuclear industry is highly unionized, which means workers have a meaningful voice when it comes to their health and safety. Canada’s nuclear industry is also among the most highly monitored and regulated in the world. Canada’s nuclear industry has an exceptional, 50 year plus track record for both radiological and conventional safety. In fact, no other Canadian electricity generation source can lay claim to a better safety record than that of the nuclear sector.
“Who knew you (Canada) were the world’s climate leader?” said a previously anti-nuclear environmental policy expert and candidate for Governor of California Michael Shellenberger in late November. “Today, Ontario’s electricity is as clean as that from Sweden and France. And you know what else? Ontario nuclear is some of the cheapest power in the world. Meanwhile, California’s unctuous Governor prances around like a climate leader even as he tears down 40% of our clean, nuclear power.”
A PLAN FOR SUCCESS
In late October of this year, Ontario’s Minister of Energy Glenn Thibeault released the government’s 2017 Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP), which provides a road map for the province’s energy system over the next 20 years. The 2017 LTEP focuses on the affordability and reliability of a clean energy supply.
The government’s LTEP highlights the important role nuclear energy plays in delivering low cost, greenhouse gas-free generation, while contributing substantially to the Ontario economy. In particular, it notes Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) progress on the refurbishment of the first of four Darlington reactors. The Plan also reaffirms the province’s commitment to refurbish the six units at Bruce Power.
“That does more than guarantee the jobs of our 4,200 employees for decades, it drives employment for the skilled trades, fills union halls, creates innovative new businesses across the province and maintains jobs throughout Ontario,” says John Peevers, Bruce Power’s Department Manager, Communications and Media Relations. “Bruce Power will inject $4 billion into Ontario’s economy annually during the Life-Extension Program through direct and indirect spending on operational equipment, supplies, materials and labour income, while creating and sustaining 22,000 direct and indirect jobs annually.”
The Plan also recognizes the value of continuing to operate the Pickering Nuclear Station for four additional years to 2024, which is more great news for the nuclear industry, its host communities, and the province as a whole.
Additionally, LTEP supports the potential for innovation in nuclear technologies such as Small Modular Reactors, isotope production, research into nuclear fuels and nuclear’s potential role in the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. OPG and Bruce Power, and other Canadian nuclear industry players are already pursuing the best ways to move these innovations forward.
ON TIME, ON BUDGET
Canada’s largest clean energy project remains on time and on budget as the refurbishment of OPG’s Darlington Nuclear Generating Station starts its next major phase - the removal of the reactor components of Unit 2.
The new phase will continue to June 2018, and includes removing vital reactor components, such as end fittings, pressure tubes and calandria tubes. The work on Unit 2 is now 40 per cent complete and up to now has included successfully defueling and separating the unit from the rest of the station and preparing the reactor for disassembly.
The Darlington refurbishment project and the subsequent operation of the station for thirty years will pump a staggering $90 billion into Ontario’s economy and create 14,000 jobs per year up until 2055. The Darlington refurbishment is a made-in-Ontario project, with 96 per cent of the project’s budget being invested in this province, supporting hundreds of Ontario companies.
In late November, the Financial Accountability Office (FAO) released a report examining the cost and impact of the Darlington refurbishment. The independent report concluded: “There are no alternative scenarios that are comparable to refurbished nuclear generation in terms of both cost and emissions.”
The benefits of Canada’s commitment to nuclear are far reaching and we should be proud to be the global leader in the battle against climate change. Canada has taken a stand and is reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a commitment to nuclear generation. Now, for the sake of the planet and the prosperity of economies across the globe, it’s up to other nations to follow Canada’s lead.
Nuclear generation is the practical, low cost, low carbon option with the proven capability to end our dependence on fossil fuels.