All one need do is bring up the phrase ‘nuclear power’ and the battle lines are drawn. Few issues engender quite the degree of opinions as does the suggestion that nuclear power is a viable option as our society seeks improvements in energy efficiency, economic growth and reduced carbon emissions.
I suggest we coolly examine the facts, shed any Malthusian-like biases, and make decisions accordingly.
We should look to the advantages, risks, costs and benefits of nuclear power. Additionally, we must examine world economic and population trends and consider how best to make our planet more prosperous and cleaner, and its people healthier and safer. Every 18 minutes, the world experiences a net population growth of 3,200 people. The suggestion that solar, wind, hydro and biomass energy sources will power this planet and allow for economic growth and, with it, further elimination of poverty is simply fallacious. We need new technologies and modern-day nuclear technology is presently first among them.
These considerations presently have a particular local significance.
Our federal government, to its credit, agrees that nuclear power is a viable policy choice. It has done so with its endorsement of small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology.
After two years of community, scientific and broad-based consultations, it will this fall announce its SMR action plan,
As their name suggests, SMR’s are more compact nuclear reactors. In terms of actual size, visualize a gymnasium, if you will. An SMR would fit inside it. While the bigger and more standard size reactors output between 500 to 800 megawatts of power, SMR’s, by contrast, produce 300 megawatts. That said, one megawatt powers approximately 750 homes so a 300-megawatt SMR would satisfy the power requirements of some 225,000 homes. To provide further indication of their size, consider these two tidbits: 3,000 tonnes of coal is equivalent to 791 grams of fissionable fuel for a reactor; a beer can could hold the nuclear fuel necessary to provide all the power a Canadian citizen required for a lifetime.
SMR‘s are constructed in component pieces and easily transportable by truck, train or ship for later assembly.
‘GREAT OPPORTUNITY’
In announcing its forthcoming plan, the feds also asked for municipal and provincial governments to express any interest in their participating in the research and possible future development of this emerging technology.
This is a great opportunity for Cape Breton and one we should not pass up. The federal government will be investing and assisting private developers who wish to likewise do so.
First, in Cape Breton University, we have the academic infrastructure to seek what will be research grants and with them a chance to put the university on the map as perhaps soon playing a significant role in energy source research. Such research can possibly delve into use of the element thorium as a fuel, thereby eliminating nuclear waste. It also could look at hydrogen as an independent energy source. The beauty of the scientific method is that it is unfettered by such things as political correctness or doctrinal walls. All it does is seek facts in its pursuit of knowledge.
Next, there is the potential of locating a manufacturing facility here. The benefits of this to the local economy are apparent and need not be elaborated upon.
I will add that within the next 20 years the SMR worldwide market is expected to top $150 billion in sales. Canada will be in that marketplace. Why not make Cape Breton part of the Canadian effort?
While Nova Scotia produces slightly less than one per cent of all Canadian energy, using such technology here would allow us to remove the wasteful use of lands and wildlife destruction inherent in wind, solar, hydro and biomass fuel sources. We could also look to exporting nuclear generated energy.
The “to be or not to be” of nuclear power is one too far ranging for this single article but, notwithstanding that question, would it not be a potentially good thing for our region to push all levels of government to find a role for us in the inevitable development of SMR technology?
Make no mistake about it. SMR’s are coming on stream. Why not, this time around, try to get ahead of the curve with a positive venture that might possibly have many wins for this region?
David Delaney lives in Albert Bridge.
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