Ensuring and Demonstrating Nuclear Safety whilst addressing the Licensing Challenges for Small Modular Reactors within the Canadian Regulatory Framework

Abstract

This paper examines the Canadian regulatory landscape, focusing on demonstrating safety compliance with the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

The drive towards sources of clean energy means that SMRs have emerged as promising cost-effective solutions. However, there integration into existing regulatory regimes and industry standards has posed unique challenges, when compared to the historical review of existing full-scale reactors. Further, Canada has not constructed and licensed a new nuclear reactor site since the early 1990’s.

We look at how regulatory requirements, vendor design reviews, safety assessments, and stakeholder engagement all form part of the successful licensing process and highlight the key challenges and limitations of the current regime. We draw on case studies and regulatory guidance / documentation, we discuss the safety analysis process including deterministic and probabilistic risk assessments, the safety culture for SMRs and security / emergency preparedness protocols.

This paper aims to support the regulatory and future Canadian standards landscape, identifying potential challenges for future licensees of SMRs, and other similar reactor designs such as Micro Modular Reactors (MMRs), and how to navigate the licensing process in Canada.