NUCLEAR  CANDU reactors use enriched as fuel, and Nuclear Fast Facts (deuterium) as the moderator. is derived from a nuclear fission reaction  There is ample uranium in the world to fuel nuclear through a process in which large amounts of heat power plants today and in the future. are generated. The heat produced from the nuclear  Eight pellets of uranium (smaller than an average reaction is used to generate the steam which rotates adult thumb), contains enough energy to power an the turbines to generate electricity. average home for about one year.  In order for the nuclear fission reaction in a CANDU  There were 438 operable nuclear power reactors in system to sustain a chain reaction, an atom com- 30 countries and 54 nuclear reactors under con- prised of Uranium, U-235, is required. The CANDU struction as of February 1, 2010. system can be described as a tank which contains tubes of uranium fuel, covered with heavy water that  Nuclear power produced 12.9 per cent of global moderates the speed of thereby enabling a electricity in 2010. chain reaction of splitting atoms. As the fuel con-  The Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) reactor is tained in the tubes is heated, the heat is pumped also used in Argentina, Romania, Pakistan, India, through an external pipe using heavy water. The re- China, and the Republic of Korea. sult is hot heavy water which enters a boiler and converts to steam, thus producing electricity. Canadian Nuclear  Uranium which is used to ignite the fission reaction in the nuclear power process is a common and Power Process abundant metal found in most rocks, soil, rivers, oceans and food. Uranium is a unique element due  The CANDU reactor is the only nuclear reactor used to its potential to produce vast amounts of energy. in Canada, which reprocesses spent , enabling the fuel source to last over 10,000 years.

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 The Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI) estimates that the nuclear greenhouse gas (GHG) Benefits of Nuclear Power emission rate for ’s electricity generation is  Nuclear Power is a large scale electricity source, 1.8 kilo tonnes per TWh. which provides base load electricity generation with  Nuclear waste fuel is managed over the long-term a low and fairly consistent operating, maintenance following its use in the nuclear power production. and fuel cost. The base load generation has the abil- from power plants is initially ity to provide a steady stream of electricity to meet stored in water filled pools at the nuclear station, demand. which provides shielding from the radiation and cool-  Nuclear power is one of the few large scale clean ing to remove the heat. After the radioactive material electricity sources that does not release GHG’s. has been eliminated after several years, the fuel is transferred to concrete silos. Nuclear waste and fuel  The electricity generated from the management is critical to ensure that cradle to grave reserves avoid approximately 700 million tonnes of environmental protection is fulfilled. CO2 emissions annually that would otherwise be generated from fossil fuel reserves.  There are four stages in the CANDU nuclear power process:  In 2008, Canada’s nuclear industry was valued at $5 billion, and contributed $6 billion in the production of annual goods and services. The industry employed over 70,000 people (directly and indirectly).

Challenges to Nuclear Power in Canada Development  Canada is one of the world’s largest producers of If nuclear power is to continue its contribution to meet- Uranium, supplying over 20 per cent of the world’s ing Canada’s growing electricity demand, the industry demand. will have to manage high amounts of capital risk and  Canada contains one of the world’s largest known long lead construction times. Furthermore, the industry high-grade deposits in Saskatche- must maintain a full life-cycle approach in order to wan. safely dispose of and maintain healthy communities.  17 CANDU reactors produced 14.8 per cent of the Canada’s electricity generation in 2009 and 55.2 per  Public Acceptance – Nuclear power projects re- cent of Ontario’s electricity generation in 2009 quire the support of landowners, municipal govern- ment, local community members, and other stake-  Electricity generated from Canadian Uranium world- holders. Developers must receive written approval wide avoids nearly 700 million tonnes of CO2 emis- and agreements from affected parties while meeting sions annually. provincial, federal and electricity system regulatory  Saskatchewan’s Uranium deposits are the world’s requirements. Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) and pro- richest ore grades—the amount of energy is equiva- ject safety concerns are particularly high due to the lent to 15 billion barrels of oil and more than 15 bil- fear of radiation exposure. lion tonnes of coal.  Environmental Impacts – The nuclear production  The Industry in Canada generates process poses many potential impacts to the land, direct employment for 5,000 people. water and air quality through the four stage process; uranium mining and milling, uranium refining, fuel  The CANDU technology has avoided 2.4 billion conversion and waste management. Atmospheric tonnes of CO2 and 48.9 million tonnes of SO2 since releases including radiation is an extensive social is- 1972. sue associated with nuclear power.

Canada’s electricity conversation is happening here

 Radiation – The development of nuclear power  Federal and Provincial Regulation Process – The plants requires planning for radioactive waste and federal EA process in combination with provincial fuel management over the span of 40 years. Nuclear processes represent a major obstacle to the devel- radioactive waste is of concern to the public and opment of nuclear projects. There is an inadequate poses a strong challenge to development. Nuclear coordination of the EA process between federal and waste is an environmental concern, which must be provincial jurisdictions. These timely processes pose managed over the long term following its use in the a threat and/or delay in development. nuclear power process. Although radioactive waste  Sustainability Issues – Nuclear power facilities are is potentially hazardous, it is very well managed subject to high capital costs and extensive construc- through the highly regulated Canadian nuclear tion periods. Nuclear projects can face major delays waste management process. Through careful control due to complexities involved in build- and storage, the environmental and health risk can ing/refurbishment of new/existing facilities. be mitigated.

 Decommissioning Nuclear Facilities – At the end of the nuclear plant life, the facility must be decom- missioned, decontaminated, and demolished. This

process entails the cleaning up of radioactive waste and materials. This presents a challenge due to the concern of waste fuel leakage and the potential for

nearby contamination.

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Sources:

Canadian Energy Research Institute, Comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Base Load Electricity Generation in Ontario, October 2008. http://www.ceri.ca/docs/MainReportCERILCAJune2009.pdf, accessed Jan 2013.

International Energy Agency, ―Key World Energy Statistics 2012‖ http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/name,31287,en.html, accessed Jan 2013.

The Canadian Nuclear Association, CNA 2010 Fact Book, http://www.cna.ca/wp-content/uploads/CNA_Booklet_2010.pdf, accessed Jan 2013.

World Nuclear Association, World Uranium Mining, April 2010, http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf49.html, accessed Jan 2013.

Canada’s electricity conversation is happening here