Remote Communities Applications Workshop
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Workshop 3: Off-Grid Northern and Remote Communities Iqaluit, May 10-11, 2018 June 12, 2018 Canadian SMR Roadmap: Northern and Remote Communities Workshop Report Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... III 1.0 PURPOSE OF THE WORKSHOP ....................................................................................... 1 2.0 BACKGROUND CONTEXT ............................................................................................... 1 2.1 Energy is Canada Today (Including Nuclear) ...................................................................................................... 1 2.2 Energy Generation in Remote Communities ........................................................................................................ 2 2.3 What is an SMR? .............................................................................................................................................................. 3 2.4 Why SMRs in Canada? ................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.5 Possible Concerns of SMRs (and Nuclear Power) .............................................................................................. 5 2.6 What is the SMR Roadmap? ........................................................................................................................................ 5 2.7 Potential Domestic Applications for SMRs ........................................................................................................... 6 3.0 SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS (WHAT WE HEARD) ........................................................... 7 3.1 Current and Future Power Generation in the North ......................................................................................... 7 3.2 The Perceived Positives and Concerns Regarding SMRs .............................................................................. 10 3.3 Future Engagement Regarding SMRs .................................................................................................................. 11 APPENDIX A: LIST OF PARTICIPANTS AT THE NORTHERN AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES WORKSHOP ........................................................................................................................................... 13 APPENDIX B: LIST OF STEERING COMMITTEE ORGANIZATIONS ............................................. 15 ii Canadian SMR Roadmap: Northern and Remote Communities Workshop Report The Strategic Review Group Inc. Le groupe des examens stratégiques iii Canadian SMR Roadmap: Northern and Remote Communities Workshop Report Executive Summary This report provides a summary of discussion from the third workshop associated with the Small Modular Reactor Roadmap. The workshop was held in Iqaluit on May 10th and 11th, 2018 and focused on potential applications within Off-Grid Northern and Remote Communities. Purpose of the Workshop The purpose of the workshop was to initiate preliminary discussions with representatives from Nunavut and northern communities about their future energy needs and explore whether nuclear energy, from small modular reactors (SMRs), could be an option in addressing those needs. No site or project has been selected for an SMR in Nunavut, or in any northern community. The workshop was seen as the beginning of a longer discussion – perhaps over the next 10 to 15 years – about the potential use of nuclear energy in the North. Introduction to the Small Modular Reactor Roadmap A Small Modular Reactor (SMR) is an advanced nuclear reactor that produces electric power up to about 300 MWe, designed to be built in factories, and shipped to a site for installation as required. SMRs provide a range of benefits including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved affordability, shorter construction and installation times, a wider range of potential users and applications, site flexibility, and integration with renewables. In October 2017, the federal government committed to bringing together stakeholders to initiate a dialogue and develop a Canadian Roadmap for SMRs (“SMR Roadmap” or “Roadmap”). The need for a Roadmap originated from the following: • SMRs are a promising potential source of non-emitting power for various applications; • The technology is at an early stage of development, with many questions that still need answers; • Future success involves risks and costs, involving both the private and public sectors across Canada; and • A pan-Canadian approach would help guide important decisions and reduce uncertainty. Initial research and analysis undertaken to assist in establishing the scope and approach for the Roadmap identified three potential applications for SMRs domestically. 1) On-grid power generation to replace fossil fuel plants in the existing electric power grid system (Power output of approximately 150 to 300 MWe). 2) Replacing existing diesel power generation for electricity, district heating, and desalination in off-grid northern and remote communities (Power output of less than 10 MWe, with many requiring less than 2.5 MWe). 3) Providing non-emitting heat and power for heavy industry sites such as resource extraction operations (Power output of approximately 10 to 170 MWe). Approach to the SMR Roadmap The approach to developing the SMR Roadmap involves a series of workshops with stakeholders to gain their needs, priorities, and perspectives. Four workshops have been iv Canadian SMR Roadmap: Northern and Remote Communities Workshop Report scheduled between March and June 2018. The first of these workshops was a Visioning Session, held in Toronto in March 2018, which focused on establishing an overall vision for SMRs in Canada, and on setting the overall foundation for the Roadmap process. The second workshop was held in Saint John on April 19-20, 2018, and focused on on-grid applications. Following the third workshop in Iqaluit, the final workshop will be held in Calgary, Alberta on June 19-20, where the focus be on heavy industry applications. The SMR Roadmap, and in particular the workshops, are also supported by five Working Groups that have been tasked with conducting analysis and providing insight into key aspects that will impact a future pan-Canadian SMR industry. The areas of study for the five working groups are: Technology; Economic and Finance; Indigenous and Public Engagement; Waste; and Regulatory Readiness. Results from the Off-Grid Northern and Remote Communities Workshop The workshop included multiple roundtable and plenary discussions that were used to collect input from the participants on multiple topics. These topics included current and future power generation in the North, and future engagement regarding SMRs. A brief summary of results from topics is presented below. Brief Summary of Discussion: Current and Future Power Generation in the North With respect to current and future power generation, concerns were raised by participants related to: • Reliability: Outages in the North are considered a liability and can be challenging to fix in some circumstances, particularly during winter storms. Further, there is also a limited window every summer to bring in the diesel needed for a year into the Territory. Not receiving this diesel prior to winter would have a significant impact on reliability. • Demand Growth: Population is increasingly rapidly and the mining industry has increased operations in the Territory in recent years. This has resulted in increased energy demands and stresses on the current system. • Energy Conservation: Currently, energy costs is highly subsidized for many in the Territory. This seems to have led to little concern about energy generation and conservation. • Climate Change: Northern communities see more impacts of climate change than the rest of Canada. Though any action taken by the Territory would have little impact on climate change overall. • Renewables: Some communities have explored the use of renewables to supplement their power supply, though this is still in the early stages. • Potential Environmental Impacts: The potential impacts to the environment of any proposed energy project will need to be considered and scrutinized. Impacts of a potential disaster to the land, water, and wildlife will be a major concern to the Inuit. Fisheries make up one of the larger industries in the North, and wildlife such as seal, whale, and caribou have always been, and are still, critical to Inuit survival. • Ownership/Partnership: In the past, investments made in the North, and resulting benefits, have left the area. Any new project or initiative should look for ways to ensure v Canadian SMR Roadmap: Northern and Remote Communities Workshop Report the Inuit people have an ownership or partnership stake so that benefits will remain in the region. Brief Summary of Discussion: Future Engagement Regarding SMRs With respect to future engagement regarding SMRs, the following guidance was provided by participants: • Preparation: Participants need to prepare themselves prior to the engagement. In particular, Southerners should read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report before the meeting. Further, prepare materials and information that is clear, relevant, respectful, and in Inuktitut. Also, be aware of historical context and legacy concerns. • Engage within the Communities: Reach out to the hamlets’ councils and plan a visit directly to the communities. Though be prepared