The Canadian Institute > Nuclear Symposium

The Canadian Institute's

Nuclear Symposium

Tuesday, March 23 to Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

7:30 Registration Opens and Coffee is Served

8:30 Opening Remarks from the Conference Chair

Krista Hill
Partner and Co-Head of the
Infrastructure and Energy Group, Torys LLP

8:45 Large Scale Extraction of Uranium Energy

Daniel Meneley
Adjunct Professor
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Engineer Emeritus
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited

What are the advantages of energy extracted from uranium as opposed to fossil fuels?
Can small-scale energy options, such as solar or wind, help?
How risky is uranium energy compared to using fossil fuels?
Learn how Canada can make the transition away from oil without spending foreign exchange, and without raising the risk of accidents, spread of weaponry, or contamination by the “ashes” that result from extracting energy from uranium

9:30 Comparing the Nuclear Sector across the Canadian Provinces: New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta

Duane Bratt
Associate Professor
Department of Policy Studies
Mount Royal University

There is a global nuclear revival that is leading to increased activity in the nuclear sector: mining, refurbishment and new reactor builds. In addition there are a number of global trends: the consolidation of the nuclear industry, less nuclear trade protectionism and the development of new nuclear technology. These common aspects have also impacted Canada, but in different ways. This presentation looks at:

What has been the impact of the global nuclear revival and its associated trends on the Canadian nuclear sector?
What is the state of nuclear revival in New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta?

New Brunswick is completing a refurbishment of its Point Lepreau reactor and considering a second reactor
Ontario is completing some refurbishments and was considering new builds (but this has been suspended)
Saskatchewan produced a Uranium Development Partnership Report that recommended a number of new projects (including a power reactor) and conducted a public consultation process
Saskatchewan government is also seeking a research reactor to produce medical isotopes and perform neutron-beam research
Alberta also produced an Expert Panel report and conducted a public consultation process — Bruce Power is considering building a power reactor in the province

What are the historical, technological, economic, political, and cultural factors that explain the different nuclear approaches by Canadian provinces?

10:30 Networking Coffee Break

Sponsored by

HSL

10:45 Saskatchewan’s Role in Canada’s Expanding Nuclear Industry

Ron Oberth
Director
Marketing and Business Development
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited

Karen Lloyd
Director, Marketing and Administration
Cameco Corporation

Update on the worldwide nuclear renaissance
Nuclear power is a carefully regulated industry with the highest standards of quality in design, equipment manufacture/installation and operator training and certification – leading to an unparalleled safety record
Nuclear is one of few industries that accounts for and manages all of its waste products
Ensuring nuclear projects are delivered on time and on budget
Nuclear power – a low GHG-emission way of meeting Saskatchewan’s long term electricity demand – why the nuclear option makes sense for Saskatchewan
Creation of a Saskatchewan-based nuclear supply industry to enhance industrial diversification
An opportunity for expanding nuclear R&D in Saskatchewan universities
Synergies between nuclear and Saskatchewan’s growing oil sands industry

11:45 Capturing the Full Potential of the Uranium Value Chain in Saskatchewan

Dr. Richard Florizone
Vice President, Finance and Resources
University of Saskatchewan and
Past Chair
Uranium Development Partnership

One year ago (March 31, 2009) the Uranium Development Partnership (UDP) published a report outlining the potential opportunities for Saskatchewan along the uranium value chain. Since the report was issued several key events have occurred, including public consultation on the UDP report, halting of the procurement of new Ontario reactors, continued softness in natural gas prices, and Canada’s search for a solution to the medical isotope crisis. The presentation will review the key findings of the UDP and the impact of recent events on Saskatchewan’s potential opportunities.

12:30 Networking Luncheon for Delegates and Speakers

Sponsored by

B&W

1:30 Securing the Future of Medical Isotopes in Canada

Dr. Dean Chapman
Special Advisor Nuclear Initiatives
University of Saskatchewan

What are the possible solutions to address the medical isotope shortage?
Details regarding the proposed research reactor facility
Expected project costs and funding
Forecasted project time lines and anticipated construction schedule
Understanding the government’s assessment criteria
Reasons why the research reactor facility should be in Saskatchewan
Project and technology details

2:15 Changing the Game: How Nuclear Process Heat Will Alter the 21st Century Economy

Steve Aplin
Vice President, Energy and Environment
The HDP Group

Carbon capture and sequestration, or carbon capture and recycle?
A cheaper, cleaner way to manufacture and store hydrogen
From synthetic crude to synthetic fuel: the hydrocarbons industry gets a new upstream — and downstream
A new low-carbon lease on life for coal and cars
Salt, lead, water, or helium: which reactor technology will predominate?

3:00 Networking Refreshment Break

Sponsored by

HSL

3:15 International Collaboration on the Commercialization of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technology

Reiner W. Kuhr
Senior Executive Consultant
Shaw Consultants International, Inc.

What new nuclear technologies are candidates for the oil sands industry SAGD and surface mining applications?
What international forms of cooperation could share in the costs and benefits of major nuclear technology development efforts?
How can the US Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) Program, funded to begin conceptual design effort in 2010, be leveraged to support oil sands applications?
How can Alberta industries collaborate with the US NGNP Alliance, consisting of potential end-users, technology developers, and owners/operators?

4:00 Exploring the Legal, Regulatory, Policy and Commercial Issues Surrounding Canadian Nuclear Energy and New Nuclear Builds for Canada

Aaron Emes
Partner — Infrastructure and Energy
Torys LLP

Effective methods to streamline the licensing process
How does Bill C-20 affect you and your organization?
Examining some of the unique Canadian Nuclear policies
What nuclear regulations does the nuclear industry need to be most aware of?

4:45 Exploring the Canadian Nuclear Landscape From a Safety Regulator’s Perspective

Peter Elder
Director General
Directorate of Nuclear Cycle and Facilities Regulation
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Examining some of the latest improvements made by the Nuclear Safety Commission
Exploring infrastructure guidelines for new nuclear builds
Understanding the guidelines and licensing process
How are the current economic demands impacting new builds and refurbishment?
How is the clarity of the licensing framework being clarified?

5:30 Chair’s Closing Remarks and Conference Adjourns

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

8:30 Coffee is Served

9:00 Opening Remarks from the Conference Chair

Krista Hill
Partner and Co-Head of the
Infrastructure and Energy Group
Torys LLP

9:15 New Nuclear Build – Meeting the Construction, Engineering and Economic Challenges

Jim Carter
Director
Navigant Consulting

How do “First of a Kind (FOAK)” technology issues impact new nuclear build?
How are estimating and budgeting challenges being addressed?
Are licensing issues going to affect project schedules?
Can modern planning and scheduling tools help new nuclear programs?
How do we insure qualified workers are available?
How do we insure qualified managers are available?
What are the main procurement issues for new nuclear power projects?
What contracting and risk sharing provisions are available?
How can new nukes be financed?
How does today differ from the last round of nuclear build?

10:00 Exploring the Canadian Nuclear Insurance Regime

Colleen DeMerchant
Assistant Manager
Nuclear Insurance Association of Canada

Spreading of catastrophic nuclear risk

Brief history of the pooling system
Brief overview of the Nuclear Liability Conventions

Nuclear liability amendments under Bill C-20 and the implications for nuclear operators

Purpose and scope of the Act
Major changes to the Act
- Scope
- Time limitations
- Limit
Effects on the operators

10:45 Networking Coffee Break

Sponsored by

11:00 Integrating New Nuclear Plants into Transmission Grids

Laurie Oppel
Managing Director, Energy Practice
Navigant Consulting

Interconnecting new nuclear plants, many of which are 1,500 megawatts in size or more, may present technical, environmental, scheduling, and financial challenges. To indicate the type of challenges that may be encountered, consider the following:

The existing transmission capability to support the level of injection under a worse case scenario of N-1, N-2, or N-1-1, depending on the facility location and the governing interconnection rules
The necessity of upgrading the transmission network to allow the new plant to qualify as a network or capacity resource, thus the potential for transmission siting considerations due to the need for new and upgraded facilities
Short circuit impacts and the need for upgraded breakers or fault current limiting devices
Stability considerations with other plants in electrical proximity and the need for advanced control and monitoring equipment
Voltage control and stability issues on the interconnecting grid and the need to provide specific reactive capability and controls
Multiple and independent sources of off-site power sources to minimize common mode failure for auxiliary equipment
Mitigation of impacts if the loss of the new plant becomes single largest contingency in the control area
Availability of transmission service to provide firm capacity to contracted parties

All of these challenges can be overcome with timely and accurate consideration to the location of the plant and the supporting transmission infrastructure.

12:00 Networking Luncheon for Delegates and Speakers

Sponsored by

2:30 Examining Canada’s Strategy for Long Term Nuclear Waste Management and Understanding the Correlation Between Nuclear Waste Management and the Future of Nuclear Energy

Representative
Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)

Understanding the social and political conditions and contexts that surround nuclear waste
Who is responsible for long term care of stored nuclear waste?
What role does accountability play?
Examining the nuclear waste policies established in Canada and comparing those policies to other countries
Exploring the safety, cost and acceptance of interim storage of nuclear waste
Implementing an adaptive phase management for the long-term management of used fuel including monitoring, retrievability and engagement
Optional shallow underground storage facility while developing deep geological repository
Continuous monitoring and potential for retrieval
NWMO is seeking sites for a repository and willing host communities

3:15 Deep Subsurface Management of Nuclear Waste: An Alternative Method for Storage and Disposal

Brian Brunskill
President
Helix Geological Consultants

Brief overview of current strategies
Long term safety perspective for nuclear waste management
Discussion on the endurance of natural containment barriers
Presentation of an alternative waste management method with potential for excellent long-term (geological periods of time) safety performance
Review of the deep borehole repository design
Discussion on the retrievability of material
Utilizing monitoring methods used for CO2 disposal (from carbon capture and storage initiatives) to monitor the movement of escaped radioactive material
Exploring some of the locations that are suitable for deep borehole storage and disposal

4:00 Chair’s Closing Remarks and Conference Concludes

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