Small Canadian Reactors for Heat, Electricity and Steam

Abstract

Although nuclear reactors currently produce 15% of the world's electricity, this represents only 5% of the world's total energy consumption, since less than 30% or the world's primary energy is used to generate electricity. Another 3U% or the world's energy consumption is used to supply low-grade heat, mainly to heat buildings. Other potential applications for nuclear energy are the generation of electricity for areas remote from electrical grids and oil or gas pipelines , and the production of high-grade steam. These applications represent opportunities tor small nuclear reactors it certain technological and/or economic criteria can be met. The paper will describe new reactor concepts currently being developed by Atomic Energy or Canada Limited that we believe will meet these criteria, thereby providing an important contribution to the world's energy supply.