SRC, Westinghouse sign MOU to advance micro-reactors

REGINA —The Saskatchewan Research Council and Westinghouse Electric Canada have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance small modular reactors (vSMRs), also known as micro-reactors, in Saskatchewan.

Westinghouse and SRC will jointly develop a project to locate an eVinci^tm_​ micro-reactor in Saskatchewan for the development and testing of industrial, research, and energy use applications. In its announcement, the government said the eVinci micro-reactor is safe and easy to transport, creating a customized solution for Saskatchewan's unique reliable clean energy needs.

"For 38 years, SRC was the licensed owner and operator of a SLOWPOKE-2 nuclear reactor, and we look forward to building on that experience with Westinghouse," Minister Responsible for SRC Jeremy Harrison said. "The hands-on experience SRC gained can be applied to emerging nuclear technology, such as SMRs as we consider how to best power our future."

"Modern nuclear reactors have the ability to provide the safe, clean, and baseload power that Saskatchewan people rely on for their everyday needs," Minister Responsible for SaskPower Don Morgan said. "The advancement of nuclear power in our province will not only modernize our power grid, but result in billions of dollars in additional economic activity."

"We are proud to work with SRC to provide customized solutions to Saskatchewan's clean energy needs with our eVinci micro-reactor technology," Westinghouse Electric Canada President Edouard Saab said. "Building on decades of innovation, the eVinci micro-reactor brings carbon-free, transportable, safe and scalable energy, while creating jobs in local communities and advancing Canada's Net Zero goals."

The eVinci micro-reactor and surrounding infrastructure is approximately half the size of a hockey rink. It is classified as a micro-reactor capable of producing five megawatts of electricity, over 13 megawatts of high temperature heat, or operating in combined heat and power mode.  The eVinci micro-reactor nuclear battery provides power solutions at a different scale than centrally generated utility-scale power. It can support various applications including remote mining operations, remote communities, individual industrial heat and power scenarios, distributed hydrogen generation and integrated energy solutions.